What Makes Actuators Significant in the Military and Defense Industry?

Military automation is the latest trend, which has been one of the greatest boons to the defense industry. This is owing to the number of advantages provided by the actuators to the said industry. It is rightly said by Frank Whittle,

“A nation’s ability to fight a modern war is as good as its technological ability.”

This holds true, and hence most countries have started upgrading their military automation technology, which includes employing different types of actuators.
One of the most crucial benefits of using automated vehicles with actuators in the war is that the number of lives at risk is reduced considerably.

Be it any branch of armed services – army, navy, or air force, actuators have a huge role to play.How?

• On Land: The armored vehicles that run on land use actuators and automation systems for different purposes. To name a few:
  • Tanks use actuators for adjusting their elevation
  • Actuators are used to operate automated windows of vehicles
  • The actuators help reduce the vibration caused, when the armored vehicles move on the land.
• In Water: Linear actuators are used in the naval vessels help them in changing the direction, while navigating by controlling the flaps. The armed naval vehicles use actuators for the elevation system, in order to adjust their weaponry. In addition to this, the valves, which help control the pressure by opening or closing, also make use of actuators.
• In Air: How do you think the aircrafts used in the military take off? The elevator present on the horizontal stabilizer trim (HST) help in this. These elevators use actuators. Besides this, the landing gears of the aircraft also use actuators for smooth and safe landing purpose.

Where are the Military Actuators Used?

There is a vast list of applications, which use linear electric actuators to facilitate proper movement of the machines, and systems. These applications are as follows:

• Gun Positioning
• Wheeled Vehicles
• Munitions Handling
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Armored Plate Positioning
• Clutches Engagement
• Remote Control Vehicles
• Brake Control
• Door Automation
• Vibration Control of Armored Vehicles
• Trailer Hitching

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: Designing Actuators for the Military Industry

Actuators for military vehicles play a vital role in the military applications, and one just cannot afford these automation devices to fail in the hour of need. So, it is always a good idea to source the actuators from renowned, trusted, and experienced manufacturers, or suppliers. Venture Mfg. Co. is one such expert manufacturer of quality actuators for military industry, and many other industries, too.

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Know about Top 3 Applications of Actuators in Defense Vehicle Systems

Today, actuators are used in almost all facets of defense vehicle operation. The advances in automation technology enable troops to avail superior vehicle safety, as well as security. Here are the 3 ways actuators that are helping troops operate defense vehicles in battlefields.

• Military Vehicle Door Automation: Most military vehicle manufacturers are facing a major challenge – designing vehicles that can overcome the threats inflicted by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). This challenge has spearheaded the adoption of v-hull designs in various military vehicles. As a result, many military vehicles are using advanced hydraulic actuators for opening and closing doors, as well as operating the engine/ hood covers.
• Vibration Control of Armored Vehicles: When a vehicle rolls on the ground, it creates vibration. This is due to the surface it rolls over. This vibration is countered using actuators, which opposes the motion, and helps avoid the friction. Today, linear electric actuators in military aircraft are also used for vibration controls.
• Trailer Hitching: Trailers are used in the military vehicles to increase the carriage capacity. Typically, the trailers are used to haul specialized weapons and equipment to the war zone. Most military vehicles, including HMMWVs, and jeeps are equipped with specially designed trailers. Most military trailers are designed in the same size as regular commercial trailers, which helps them perform in all conditions, as well as simplify the logistics-related hassles. Actuators help to connect trailers safely without leaving the vehicle.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: “Designing Actuators for the Military Industry“

Thus, various military vehicle solutions are benefitting from linear electric actuators in many ways. With a wide range of applications and roles to play, these actuators are wielding big influence in the military industry. Thus, it is important that you source them from a reliable manufacturer. Venture Mfg.Co is one of the leading manufacturers of actuation systems for armored military vehicles.

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What are the Uses of Linear Actuators in the Industrial Applications?

There are a number of industrial applications, which employ electric linear actuators. Here are some most common and major application areas of these actuators:

• Window Automation: This is one of the most talked about areas of application of electric linear actuators. Actuators have a vital role to play in window automation. They allow for easier access and an improved ventilation. How? Actuators help in automating the opening and closing of windows for natural ventilation. This natural ventilation is useful for keeping the temperature of the building low at night, and even in extracting harmful smoke and heat during any fire emergency. This is only possible with the help of electric actuators.
• Agriculture & Outdoor: Agricultural industry implements several heavy duty equipment, such as harvesters, spreaders, tractors, and many more. These equipment are required to carry out linear motion to operate. Linear actuators have the capability to withstand extreme work conditions in the agricultural open field. Combine harvesters use levers to divert the grain flow. These levers are operated with the help of linear actuators. Additionally, the nozzle angle of the spreaders can be adjusted by these actuators. Other than agriculture industry, electric actuators are also used for solar tracking applications. The angle of the solar panels can be adjusted to follow the sun’s orbit, which helps increase the efficiency of solar panel system.
• Special Factory Machinery: Electric linear actuators are being used increasingly in manufacturing industries for automating equipment, such as material handlers, slurry tanks, and several automotive equipment. Applications, such as factory machinery used to cut carpet rolls also employ linear actuators for raising or lowering the blades.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: Role of Actuators in Enabling Industrial Automation Functions

These were some major industrial application areas, which use the electric linear actuators extensively. Employing these actuators in these applications increases the overall efficiency, and betters the performance. However, the manufacturer from whom you buy a linear actuator matters a lot. It is always a good idea to consult experts and get these extremely useful equipment from trusted and experienced manufacturers and suppliers. This will not only help you get good quality actuators, but also improve the overall performance. One such manufacturer of good quality custom electric linear actuators is Venture Mfg. Co., which has a huge experience in the field.

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The ball screws and bearings used in the linear actuator are the primary determinants of traverse speed and time. Typically, belt-driven linear actuators are faster than their ball screw, and linear bearing counterparts.

2. Acceleration & Deceleration Rate

In multi-positioning systems, acceleration by itself is not a crucial problem. The effect of acceleration on the load is what needs to be taken into consideration. In any automated system where linear motion systems are used, one also needs to consider the implications of deceleration on the load. For start-stop, or pick up and drop systems, acceleration, and deceleration needs to be factored in when choosing the right linear actuator.

3. Cycle Time & Fatigue Life

The fatigue life of a component will determine the life of a system. In addition, the fatigue life is dependent on the cycle time. Higher the frequency of the cycle, more will be the wear and tear; therefore, the fatigue will be higher. Hence, the actuator will have to be chosen depending on your expectations of the life of the actuating system. For example, if you consider two systems that need to function for the next 12 years, but the cycle time of one is double than the other. We can understand that the same linear actuator will not be able to provide the same results in the same budget. Two different actuator systems will need to be employed for both the test scenarios.

4. External Forces

When designing a system, we need to factor in accidents, extreme cases, emergencies, and the human factor. In case of an emergency, a load might need to be stopped or moved to another position abruptly. To incorporate this functionality into your actuator system, the components will have to be altered accordingly.

5. Environmental Factors

The linear system will have to be chosen according to the environmental factors. You need to consider the natural atmosphere of the location, as well as the application environment. The external atmosphere includes moisture, dust, and temperature. The application environment will include the ruggedness of the application, internal temperature, chemical exposure, abrasion, corrosive environment, physical cleaning, etc. You will also have to consider the level of vibration experienced within the application. For example, the actuators used in military applications are very different compared to those used in factories, or laboratories. In medical facilities, noise levels could be a problem, so the linear actuator will have to be chosen accordingly. Depending on the environment, you will have to choose the actuator, as well as the various seals, coatings, and casings that can be used to protect the equipment from damage.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: Positioning System Guide to Choosing the Correct Linear Actuator in 12 Steps

When choosing a linear actuator, it is also important to consider the different electrical drives and systems that come into play. Most automated machines utilize complex components and electrical systems. Hence, it is important to choose a linear actuator that is compatible with the various electrical systems, and components.

Information and knowledge about linear actuators will assist you in choosing the other support components as well. It will also help you in incorporating the correct mounting methods, mounting arrangements, stacking of linear actuators, integrated drives, and affixation methods.

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