1. Understanding Hydraulic Rotary Actuator
Hydraulic rotary actuator, as a key hydraulic component, plays an important role in the industrial field. It is a device that converts hydraulic energy into rotary mechanical energy, also known as a hydraulic rotary motor or hydraulic swing actuator.
The hydraulic rotary actuator is mainly composed of housing, internal rotating parts, and connection ports. Its working principle is to drive the internal rotating parts to rotate through the pressure of hydraulic oil, thereby realizing the output of mechanical energy. In practical applications, hydraulic rotary actuators have many types, such as gear type, vane type, and plunger-type.
The gear-type hydraulic rotary actuator has a relatively simple structure and low cost. It drives the rotation of gears through high-pressure oil to achieve the output of rotary motion. Vane-type hydraulic rotary actuator uses the movement of blades in the chamber to transmit hydraulic energy, with a higher speed and smaller volume. The plunger-type hydraulic rotary actuator has higher power density and precision and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for output torque and precision.
According to statistics, in some industrial applications, hydraulic rotary actuators can provide output torque up to thousands of Newton meters to meet the driving needs of various heavy equipment. For example, in the field of engineering machinery, hydraulic rotary actuators are widely used in the slewing mechanisms of equipment such as excavators and cranes to achieve multi-angle operation of the equipment.
The advantages of hydraulic rotary actuators are that they can provide large output torque, achieve precise speed control, and have high reliability. Compared with motor drives, hydraulic rotary actuators are more adaptable in harsh environments and can withstand greater loads and shocks. At the same time, the pressure of the hydraulic system can achieve precise control of the speed and torque of the rotary actuator by adjusting the output flow and pressure of the pump.
In short, as an important hydraulic component, hydraulic rotary actuators have broad application prospects in the industrial field.
2. Main Application Fields
(I) Engineering machinery field
In the field of engineering machinery, hydraulic rotary actuators play a vital role. Taking excavators as an example, hydraulic rotary actuators are widely used in the rotation drive of buckets, making excavation operations more flexible and efficient. It can provide strong output torque to ensure that the bucket can accurately rotate under various complex working conditions. At the same time, in equipment such as cranes, hydraulic rotary actuators are used to realize the rotation of the crane arm, allowing the equipment to lift and carry heavy objects at different angles. It is understood that in large excavators, hydraulic rotary actuators can provide output torques of up to tens of thousands of Newton meters to meet high-intensity operation requirements.
(II) Industrial Robotics
In the field of industrial robots, hydraulic rotary actuators are mainly used to control the movement and positioning of the robot arm to achieve precise rotation. It can accurately control the rotation angle and speed of the robot arm, allowing the robot to complete various high-precision operation tasks in a complex production environment. For example, in the automobile manufacturing industry, industrial robots can achieve precise assembly of automobile parts through hydraulic rotary actuators. Compared with other drive methods, hydraulic rotary actuators have the advantages of fast response speed, high precision, and strong reliability. In some high-end industrial robots, hydraulic rotary actuators can also cooperate with other sensors and control systems to achieve more intelligent operation.
(III) Other fields
Agricultural field: In agricultural machinery, hydraulic rotary actuators are used in the steering and transmission systems of equipment such as combine harvesters and tractors. It can provide stable power output to ensure the efficient operation of agricultural machinery during field operations. For example, in a combine harvester, a hydraulic rotary actuator can control the rotation angle of the harvesting table to improve harvesting efficiency.
Municipal vehicle field: In municipal engineering vehicles, such as road sweepers, garbage trucks, etc., hydraulic rotary actuators are used to control various functional components of the vehicle, such as the rotation of the sweeping disc, the lifting of the garbage can, etc. It can improve the working efficiency and automation of municipal vehicles.
Energy field: In energy industries such as oil and natural gas, hydraulic rotary actuators are used in the control of drilling equipment, pipeline valves, etc. It can withstand high pressure and harsh working environments to ensure the safe and stable operation of energy equipment.
Marine field: In marine engineering, hydraulic rotary actuators are used to control the steering gear, cranes, and other equipment of ships. It has good waterproof and corrosion resistance and can adapt to the requirements of the marine environment.
Material handling field: In the logistics and warehousing industries, hydraulic rotary actuators are used in the lifting and rotating mechanisms of equipment such as forklifts and cranes. It can improve the efficiency and safety of material handling.
Military field: In military equipment, hydraulic rotary actuators are used in the rotation of turrets and the control of weapon systems of armored vehicles, tanks, and other vehicles. It can provide powerful power output and precise control to meet the needs of military operations.
Mining field: In mining equipment, hydraulic rotary actuators are used to control the working parts of equipment such as drills and crushers. It can withstand heavy loads and harsh working environments to ensure efficient mining.
3. Advantages of Hydraulic Rotary Actuator
(I) Powerful performance
Hydraulic rotary actuators have high torque and high load capacity, which can provide powerful power for equipment. For example, some models of hydraulic rotary actuators can have a torque of up to 24,000 Nm, which can easily drive various heavy equipment. Whether it is a large crane in the field of construction machinery or a high-precision operation in the field of industrial robots, this powerful torque output ensures efficient operation of the equipment.
(II) Durable and reliable
The enclosed moving parts make it suitable for harsh environments and ensure long-term stable operation. In harsh environments such as mines and oceans, hydraulic rotary actuators can resist the influence of dust, moisture, corrosion, and other factors. Its sturdy structure and high-quality materials ensure reliability under extreme conditions and reduce equipment maintenance costs and downtime.
(III) Compact design
High power density, can be installed in a small space, and adapt to different equipment layouts. With the trend of miniaturization and integration of equipment, the compact design of hydraulic rotary actuators has become an important advantage. It can provide powerful power output in a limited space to meet the needs of various compact equipment. For example, in some small industrial robots and precision instruments, hydraulic rotary actuators can achieve precise rotational motion without taking up too much space.
(IV) Precise positioning
Zero internal leakage, smooth operation, and precise positioning without external braking. The high-precision positioning capability of hydraulic rotary actuators makes them excel in applications that require precise control. For example, in the fields of electronic manufacturing and medical devices, it can ensure the precise operation of equipment, and improve product quality and production efficiency.
(V) Simplified structure
Eliminate bearings, and connecting rods and brackets, reduce the bill of materials, and simplify the equipment structure. The integrated design of the hydraulic rotary actuator reduces the number of parts of the equipment and reduces the difficulty and cost of assembly. At the same time, the simplified structure also improves the reliability and stability of the equipment and reduces the possibility of failure.
(VI) Safety guarantee
It can be reverse-driven in overload conditions, acting as a hydraulic fuse to prevent mechanical damage. When the equipment encounters an overload condition, the hydraulic rotary actuator can automatically reverse drive to protect the equipment from damage. This safety guarantee function is particularly important in some critical equipment and high-risk applications, ensuring the safe operation of the equipment and the safety of the operator.
4. Selection and Service of Hydraulic Rotary Actuator Supplier
(I) How to choose the right actuator
Selecting the right hydraulic rotary actuator requires consideration of multiple factors. First, determine the required torque and speed according to the specific needs of the machine. Different machines have different power requirements when working. For example, large cranes require high-torque actuators to achieve the rotation of the crane arm, while small industrial robots may pay more attention to the accuracy and response speed of the actuator. The torque and speed range of the required actuator can be determined by calculating the load and working conditions of the machine.
Second, consider the characteristics of the working environment. If the machine works in a harsh environment, such as mines, oceans, etc., it is necessary to select an actuator with good sealing and corrosion resistance to ensure its long-term stable operation. At the same time, the impact of factors such as working temperature and humidity on the actuator should also be considered.
In addition, the installation space and layout requirements of the actuator need to be considered. Some machines may have limited space and need to select compactly designed actuators so that they can be installed in a small space. At the same time, the connection method and compatibility of the actuator with other components should also be considered to ensure the coordinated operation of the entire system.
Finally, consider the brand and quality of the actuator. Choosing an actuator from a well-known brand can usually guarantee its quality and performance. You can understand the quality and reliability of the actuator by checking the product’s certification status, user reviews, etc.
(II) WEITAI Service
WEITAI provides a series of high-quality services in the production and sales of hydraulic rotary actuators. First of all, we have ISO certification, which is an important recognition of production management and product quality. ISO 9001:2015 international quality system certification, etc., ensures that the entire process from design, and production to sales of products meets strict quality standards and provides customers with reliable products.
WEITAI can also provide customized solutions to meet the special needs of different customers. According to the specific requirements of the customer’s machine, hydraulic rotary actuators of specific specifications are designed and produced to ensure that they perfectly match the customer’s equipment. For example, for some special industrial robot applications, manufacturers can customize actuators with specific torque, speed, and accuracy according to the robot’s working environment and task requirements.
One-year warranty service provides customers with protection. During the warranty period, if the actuator has quality problems, the manufacturer will be responsible for free repair or replacement, reducing customers’ worries. For some specific models of products, WEITAI also provides extended warranty service options, which customers can choose according to their needs.
Fast delivery is also one of WEITAI’s advantages. In modern industrial production, time is efficiency. WEITAI can complete production and delivery within a few weeks after receiving an order to meet the urgent needs of customers by optimizing production processes and arranging inventory reasonably.
A professional team is an important guarantee for WEITAI to provide quality services. We usually have a professional team of engineers, technicians, and sales staff who have rich industry experience and expertise and can provide customers with a full range of technical support and services. From product selection, and installation to commissioning and maintenance, the professional team can provide customers with timely and effective help.
Global service is also a feature of WEITAI. With the development of globalization, many customers’ businesses are spread all over the world. WEITAI can provide customers with timely technical support and after-sales service by establishing a global sales and service network so that customers can enjoy high-quality services no matter where they are. For example, we have sales and service centers in North America, Australia, and some European countries to ensure that we can respond quickly to customer needs.
