New electric cylinders feature IP65 rating * Flexible linear actuators for harsh environmental conditions Northampton, May 8, 2012 --- Festo has launched a range of electric piston-rod cylinders featuring enhanced ingress protection, including models with a high IP65 rating, for applications involving exposure to aggressive media. The new enhanced IP versions of DNCE cylinders offer machine builders and OEMs a wide choice of configuration options, enabling the performance and level of protection to be optimally matched to the application. Enhanced IP versions of DNCE cylinders are available in 32, 40 and 63 mm frame sizes and with standard stroke lengths from 100 to 800mm in 100 mm steps, depending on size. All the cylinders employ a high performance ball screw drive and are capable of handling acceleration rates up to 6 metres/sec/sec, with a very high positional repetition accuracy of plus or minus 0.02 mm. Each model offers a choice of two spindle pitches, enabling users to select the optimum drive characteristics for their needs. Festo has developed the enhanced IP versions of DNCE cylinders in response to customer's requirements for an actuator that combines the environmental robustness of pneumatic models with the flexibility and performance of all-electric solutions. Unlike pneumatic cylinders, where there is always a positive internal pressure to help protect against the ingress of moisture, standard electric cylinders are inherently more susceptible to corrosion when used in wet environments, due to the suction effect of their internal drive mechanism. This tends to limit their potential as alternatives to pneumatic cylinders. The enhanced IP versions of the DNCE cylinder overcome this disadvantage, widening their applications scope significantly. The main improvement to the enhanced IP versions of the DNCE is a threaded breather port in the front face of the cylinder, which enables users to connect a length of standard pneumatic tubing for the remote supply of air and exhaust venting in an area outside the immediate environment. This prevents unwanted media being drawn into the drive, resulting in increased reliability and reduced need for routine maintenance. An optional bellow kit further extends the level of protection, by guarding against damage or corrosion of the piston rod, cylinder seals and bearings by aggressive media such as dust, chippings, oil, grease or fuel. It also helps prevent water in washdown environments from entering the cylinder. The front of the bellow has a polymer ring with a breather port that accepts a push-in tube connector, enabling air to be ducted to and from a safe environment, in the same manner as the port on the cylinder's body. To accompany the bellow option, Festo has introduced a piston rod extension kit that provides the extra length needed to accommodate the bellow in its compressed state. Further enhancements, all designed to simplify cylinder installation and use, include various piston rod options such as threaded extension pieces, special threads, and a female thread instead of the standard male version. Enhanced IP versions of the DNCE are suitable for use with a range of Festo stepper and servomotors, as well as third-party products, which can be mounted in-line or in parallel using a toothed belt coupler. Unlike many IP65 rated automation products on the market , which only achieve this level of protection by the use of sealant compounds, the DNCE features motor coupling housings with full IP-rated gasket sets. These retain their protective qualities throughout the life of the product. Users can disassemble the cylinder and motor to implement changes such as altering the drive ratio or to perform routine servicing, confident that the protection level will be retained on re-assembly. The level of ingress protection afforded by the complete motor/cylinder combination depends on a number of factors, including the individual IP ratings of the motor's housing and its power and signal connectors. All combinations of Festo motor and cylinder meet IP54, and when used with Festo servomotors this increases to an IP65 rating. In the case of third-party motors, the level of protection will depend upon the IP rating of the motor. Festo's enhanced IP cylinders are ideal for applications involving exposure to dust and water, such as in the woodworking, plasterboard and concrete manufacturing industries. The cylinders are particularly suited to highly dynamic moves requiring accurate control of speed, acceleration and deceleration. Typical uses include push-pull type applications without significant offset loads, such as opening and closing flaps or doors, and lifting and lowering on gantry systems. Furthermore, although enhanced IP versions of DNCE cylinders are not intended for applications involving direct contact with food, they can be used in its vicinity. An IP65 rated version of the cylinder featuring a special corrosion resistant finish and NSF-approved food grade lubrication is available for applications in the food and beverage industries. Festo's DNCE cylinders use the same types of mounting adaptors as the company's DNC pneumatic cylinders and to a large degree are mechanically interchangeable, enabling machine builders to switch to all-electric alternatives very easily. An extensive range of cylinder accessories includes foot, end flange, trunnion and swivel flange mounting components, as well as a wide variety of piston rod attachments such as clevis and ball-end couplings. All DNCE cylinders are constructed from robust extruded aluminium, with a high alloy stainless steel piston rod and a steel spindle. The piston rod is non-rotating and its internal drive is equipped with a collar magnet for positional feedback purposes. The cylinder housing features full-length T-slots, enabling proximity sensors to fitted at any desired position and adjusted very easily. ENDS - Ends - About Festo Festo is a leading international supplier of automation technology. With its innovations and problem-solving expertise in the field of pneumatic and electrical automation, the company has established itself as the performance leader in its sector. Festo's innovative strength is demonstrated by around 100 new products which it launches every year, as well as its R&D ratio of 8.5% and the 2,900 patents it holds world-wide. Its new approach to product development, using bionics and biomechatronics within the framework of the Bionic Learning Network, represents a true first in the field of automation technology. For more information about the company's products and services, please visit: http://www.festo.co.uk. Festo is also active in Social Media. To keep informed, become a follower at http://www.festo.com/twitter, or visit http://www.festo.com/facebook or http://www.festo.com/youtube. Festo Training & Consulting specialises in the development of people, organisation and technology. Offering a range of open courses, structured development programmes and tailor-made, customer-specific projects. Festo trains over 42,000 delegates worldwide every year. It is the proud recipient of a 1* Accreditation in the Sunday Times Best Companies Accreditation Scheme; Company of the Year in the Food Processing Awards; and Midlands Medium Employer of the Year in the National Training Awards. More information on the organisation and the training and consulting services available can be found at http://www.festo-didactic.co.uk. For further information please contact: Nicola Meadway, Festo Ltd, Technology House, 1 Fleetwood Park, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2QX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1252 775000; Fax: +44 (0)1252 775015; http://www.festo.com; email: nicola_meadway@festo.com---Visit https://www.wordsun.com/news/pr/new-electric-cylinders-feature-ip65-rating/en for downloadable photos.