Thomson Wins 2021 Idea! Award For Its Electrak LL Long Life Actuator

Lasts more than 10 times the life of a standard actuator

Published: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - 13:00

(Thomson Industries: Wood Dale, IL) -- Thomson Industries Inc., a leading manufacturer of linear motion control solutions, is pleased to announce that its Electrak LL electric actuator has won the Bronze Award in the 2021 Industrial Design, Engineering & Automation (IDEA)! Awards Contest. The readers of Machine Design and Hydraulics & Pneumatics voted the actuator as one of the most exceptional product innovations they believe will help them improve safety, productivity, and operational efficiency.

“Our aim is to continuously improve our products around the needs of our customers and the market by combining well-proven knowledge and experience with cutting-edge innovation,” says Håkan Persson, product line director - linear actuators at Thomson. “The Electrak LL is the result of that effort, and we are encouraged that the readers of Machine Design and Hydraulics and Pneumatics have recognized us for that.”

Electrak LL: The long-life actuator for harsh environments

Thomson has designed the Electrak LL actuator to last up to 370 miles, more than 10 times the life of a standard actuator. It has an extraordinarily high duty cycle of 35 percent at peak load, with IP69K (static) and IP66 (dynamic) ratings. Key to its durability is the use of brushless motors as well as increased UV resistance, a long-life ball screw and nut assembly, and a manual override design. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40° to +85°C (-40° to +185°F), and is CE- and RoHS-compliant, which makes it easier for operators to interact with and control operations in all environments.

Due to their strong environmental resistance, Electrak LL electric actuators are well suited for outdoor applications such as pantographs, couplers, steps, access lifts, and gravel bins. They also comply with railway regulations EN 50155, EN 60077, and EN 45545, and can be used on the factory floor for high duty cycle applications such as material handling and logistics.

The IDEA! Awards were created to showcase excellent product developments, and highlight emerging trends and breakthroughs in the industrial manufacturing sector. The awards were presented in six categories: Automation & Software, Fluid Power, Machines & Components, Motors & Drives, Sensors, and Motion Control, in which the Electrak LL actuator was nominated. The Thomson Bronze Award announcement was made on November 10 in conjunction with the 2021 IDEA! Conference, part of The Manufacturing & Technology Conference hosted in Cleveland, Ohio.

About Thomson Industries Inc.

With 75 years of achievement in motion control innovation and quality, Thomson is the industry’s premier producer of Linear Actuators, Linear Ball Bushing Bearings and Profile Rail Bearings, 60 Case Shafting, Ground and Rolled Ball Screws, Linear Systems, and related accessories. Thomson invented the Linear Ball Bushing Bearing in 1945 and has set the standard ever since with an unsurpassed set of linear motion control solutions serving global aerospace and defense, medical and health, factory automation, food processing, and mobile off-highway markets. Thomson, a brand of U.S.-based Altra Industrial Motion, has facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia with more than 2,000 distributor locations around the world.

For more information: contact Thomson Industries Inc., 1500 Mittel Blvd., Wood Dale, IL 60191-1073; (540) 633-3549 phone; (540) 633-0294 fax; Thomson@thomsonlinear.com or www.thomsonlinear.com.

About The Author

Quality Digest

For 40 years Quality Digest has been the go-to source for all things quality. Our newsletter, Quality Digest, shares expert commentary and relevant industry resources to assist our readers in their quest for continuous improvement. Our website includes every column and article from the newsletter since May 2009 as well as back issues of Quality Digest magazine to August 1995. We are committed to promoting a view wherein quality is not a niche, but an integral part of every phase of manufacturing and services.