New Absolute Position Feedback (APF) Option for Tol-O-Matic Actuators Eliminates Homing Routines on Reset

Tol-O-Matic has announced its new Absolute Position Feedback (APF) technology, the first fully-integrated linear actuator sensor that eliminates the need for homing routines

APF-equipped Tol-O-Matic actuators provide analog feedback to the controller or PLC to determine actual load position. Work point variances can also be accommodated throughout the cycle, eliminating stoppage for manual set-ups. Systems with APF provide position feedback as soon as power is applied, allowing immediate resumption from shutdowns, resets and power losses. The APF option is currently available for Tol-O-Matic BC3 pneumatic and B3S electric series actuators, and unlike fixed length sensors, can be ordered in incremental stroke lengths from 2 to 156 inches.

APF is fully integrated within the actuator body, eliminating the need for complex mounting and also reducing the chance of damage to the transducer, said Michael Dornfeld, Tol-O-Matic Project Engineer. The technology utilizes a non-contact, linear displacement transducer that offers high life expectancy, high speed, high linearity and repeatability compared to conventional linear potentiometers. Dornfeld added that because the APF magnetostrictive transducer measures position directly, effects of screw/nut backlash can be eliminated from position feedback information.

In pneumatic applications using BC3-series actuators, APF can eliminate the need for hard-wired event triggers, and events can be easily programmed to a PLC without having to manually add or adjust switches. An analog signal of 0 to +10Vdc or 10 to +10 Vdc can be selected (based on control device) to make full use of the controllers analog to digital conversion capabilities.

Tol-O-Matics APF technology opens the door to greater productivity in a number of applications that demand load position location at operation start-up, or high performance/high volume production, including valve positioning, winding, measurement, stacking, inspection machinery, X-Y positioning set-up, load sensing and assembly machinery.

Tol-O-Matic, a certified ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, has been designing and manufacturing high quality motion control products for over 50 years. For further information, or free sizing and selection software,