Precision motion and reliable torque stand at the heart of any modern line. A robot arm can pick a part in one axis then move in another. A torque tool can fasten a bolt to spec. Both tasks rely on motion drivers and torque units that meet cycle pace and duty cycle demands. Linear actuators deliver accurate push or pull on one axis. Air motors spin shafts with steady torque at high speed. When paired in a workflow they hit part cycle goals with minimal fuss and no tool drop.
The role of linear actuators
Linear actuators convert rotational drive into straight-line motion. A screw, belt or rod transfers motor rotation into precise push or pull. A stepper actuator can index at sub-millimeter step size. A servo actuator can hold a position under torque load. Each type fits a common need on a line.
Key actuator types
- Ball-screw actuator for high load and tight accuracy
- Belt-drive actuator for speed and medium load
- Rod-style pneumatic actuator for simple push/pull
- Guided actuator for side-load resistance
A ball-screw unit can drive a gripper that lifts a part from a feeder station. Its minimal backlash ensures a repeatable pick-place cycle. A belt actuator can slide a panel into a drill station at cycle pace. A pneumatic rod-actuator can clamp a part under a drill head then release on command. Guided units manage side load from turret changes.
Precision and repeatability
A motion driver must hit a position and hold it under force. A servo actuator can hit a position to within 0.05 mm. A ball-screw unit can index even finer. Such precision cuts scrap and rework on press-fit assemblies. A rod-style pneumatic unit can hold a part under a torque tool so the joint meets spec every pass.
Speed and cycle rate
Cycle rate depends on travel distance and drive type. Belts can reach 2 m/s on long strokes. Ball screws peak under 1 m/s but handle higher loads. Pneumatic rods bring a fast stroke at moderate force. Match travel length to cycle time to meet pace without oversize drive. A station that moves a payload 200 mm can use a belt-drive unit to cut cycle by half over a ball-screw actuator.
The function of air motors
Air motors spin a shaft with torque from compressed air. A vane motor uses vanes in a rotor to seal air chambers. An inertia motor spins a gearbox under high-pressure air. Both types handle on-off duty cycles and tolerate overload with no burn-out.
Air motor types
- Vane motor for steady speed under moderate torque
- Piston motor for high torque at low speed
- Turbine motor for very high speed under light load
- Gear-reduction motor for high torque output at low rpm
A vane motor can drive a screw feeder bowl or a parts carousel. It runs on shop air and stops on signal. A piston motor can drive a press unit that requires high force at low rpm. A turbine motor can spin a blow-off fan or air knife. Add a gearbox to boost torque and reduce speed for a tool station drive.
Torque and duty cycle
Air motors excel under harsh duty cycles. They can stall under overload and restart with no damage. A vane motor can deliver 20 Nm at 3 000 rpm. A piston motor can torque to 200 Nm at 50 rpm. Duty cycle suits each type: vane units run continuous, piston units handle short bursts under high load.
Control and simplicity
Air motors link to simple valves for start/stop and speed adjust. A proportional valve can set rpm from zero to max with a twist. No encoder required for basic tasks. A servo valve can bring closed-loop control if you need precise rpm control under load. Such simplicity cuts both programming time and service effort.
Integration patterns in a workflow
A high-output line stitches multiple stations into a rhythm. Parts arrive on a conveyor. A feeder drops a part at the pick port. A robot or tech grabs the part. A motion driver places it under a tool. A torque tool then finishes the joint. Both motion and torque units must sync to hit output targets.
Typical station flow
- Part pick with linear actuator
- Transfer to tool zone via belt actuator
- Torque tool operation
- Release and return actuator to home
In an index-table cell the linear actuato can push each part under a torque arm. An air-motor drive can spin a rotary table to line up the next part. A feeder bowl driven by an air motor can load screws in parallel. Each element meets its own cycle target without stepping on the next.
Signal and timing
PLC or motion controller sets timing. A digital output trips the actuator at part pick. A sensor confirms part presence. A digital output then opens a valve to run the air motor for table rotation. A photo-eye confirms table index position. A torque tool controller then arms and records torque peaks. That signal flows back to the PLC to complete the cycle.
Data and quality link
A torque controller records each joint spec in a buffer. A motion controller can send part-ID data to a SCADA database. That link creates a full audit tag per part. One station log can trace position in mm and torque in Nm for each joint on the part.
Key factors in component selection
Every site has its own mix of part shapes, joint specs and cycle goals. You must size both actuator and air motor to fit travel, force, rpm and duty cycle. A few core criteria guide your choice.
Travel distance vs stroke length
- Torque requirement vs motor rating
- Cycle rate vs speed capability
- Force vs payload weight
- Duty cycle vs drive type
- Control mode: on/off vs closed-loop
- Mount style: drop-in vs custom bracket
Match travel to stroke so no wasted travel. Match torque to peak joint spec with headroom. Match speed to cycle time. Choose a pneumatic unit for high-heat or wash-down zones. Choose an electric servo for a clean room or where shop air is absent.
Sizing a linear actuator
Start with payload mass and travel length. Calculate force = mass × peak acceleration. Add friction factor. Select screw or belt drive based on speed need. Confirm motor torque and gearbox ratio if present. Finally, check mount style and bearing load.
Sizing an air motor
List torque and rpm targets. Check air supply pressure and flow. Confirm valve size and piping runs. Add a reducer if torque needs jump. Confirm duty cycle suits vane or piston type. Include filter, regulator and lubricator near the motor to avoid dirty air.
Why Choose Flexible Assembly Systems?
Flexible Assembly Systems crafts both motion and torque solutions that align with each floor’s unique puzzle. Our team sculpts cell designs from initial concept to final startup. We size each actuator and air motor to your part mix and cycle chart. We build control panels that tie motion logic and torque trace into one HMI screen. You walk away with a live line that hums at target pace, meets each joint spec and logs full audit data.
Our key services
- Custom layout design with 3D floor model
- On-site demo with your parts and pilot run
- Spare parts kit for actuators and air motors
- Weekly tune-up and valve clean service plan
- Control panel with plug-and-play I/O and SCADA link
Each cell we deliver cuts cycle time while erasing torque error and motion miss. You gain a lean line that stays live at 99 percent uptime and meets part spec on every pass. We back every install with a spares pool and a service road map. No downtime. No torque skip. No part jam.
Next steps
Map your part flow and joint chart. Count travel lengths and torque targets. Request a site review to see how linear actuators and air motors fit your line. We’ll demo one pilot cell and track cycle time and error count. Once you see the gain in hours saved and scrap cut, roll our solution across parallel lanes. No wasted motion. No torque miss. Just a smooth, efficient line that meets every spec.
