As packaging, life science, and light assembly machines evolve, linear axes are being required to meet higher performance demands without increasing machine size or requiring platform redesigns. When an actuator reaches its performance limits, OEMs must either redesign the motion system or limit machine capability.
Festo has expanded its ELGD rodless electric actuator family to address these requirements. The updated ELGD-TB toothed belt and ELGD-BS ball screw models offer increased load capacity, stiffness, and configuration options while maintaining a compact design. The actuators also provide higher force capability, longer stroke lengths, and additional mounting options, allowing OEMs to increase performance without modifying the surrounding machine structure.
Machine builders have access to a wider range of axes designed for quick configuration, global availability, and compatibility with Festo servo drives and motion tools. The expanded ELGD family is part of the Festo FAST program, with standard models stocked in the U.S. for shipment within one day.
The ELGD family supports a range of electric motion applications, including pick-and-place, packaging, laboratory automation, assembly, gluing, and light machining. The actuators can be used as standalone axes or integrated into gantry and Cartesian systems with Festo drives and controllers. Each unit is tested to verify performance based on Festo’s design tools, helping ensure that system performance and accuracy meet specified requirements.
The ELGD family integrates with Festo’s digital engineering tools to support specification, sizing, and configuration of electric motion systems. The Electric Motion Sizing tool allows engineers to select actuator, drive, and motor combinations for single-axis applications. ELGD axes are also included in the Festo Handling Guide Online, which supports multi-axis configuration of axes, drives, motors, and accessories.
Clean, sealed, and easy to integrate
The expansion includes new ball screw and toothed belt versions designed for higher forces, longer strokes, and increased rigidity. Stroke lengths reach up to 8.2 ft for ball screw drives and 27.9 ft for toothed belt versions. For lower-force applications, the wide-body ELGD-WD weighs about 30% less than larger units while maintaining similar rigidity and guide load capacity.
The bearing and carriage design supports smooth motion, reduced vibration, and increased torque capacity, allowing machine builders to configure axes for both precision and high-speed applications.
The actuators integrate with the newest Festo CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST servo drives and EMMT-AS servo motors and EMMT-ST stepper motors. Festo also offers motor mounting kits for third-party motors.
For customers that need under-machine mounting, the ELGD now includes an option for direct mounting installation. The under-machine mounting option simplifies the design in tight envelopes.
A stainless-steel cover strip with magnetic deflection protects against particle ingress and wear for a longer and more trouble-free service life. And the actuator includes a breathing port that allows a flow of sealing air, typically 0.1 to 0.2 bar, creating positive internal pressure to prevent contamination in dirty work environments. ELGD also supports cleanroom, laboratory, and industrial applications where cleanliness and reliability are critical by applying vacuum to the breathing port.
OEMs benefit from the company’s global engineering and manufacturing network, standardized components and digital tools that shorten project timelines.
For more information, visit festo.com.
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