Optimized space requirements: Electric drives of the LEF and LEY series with additional size 16

The electric drives of the LEF series, available with spindle (shown in the picture) or belt drive, have been expanded to size 16, thus ensuring optimized space requirements. At the same time, users continue to benefit from the numerous advantages of the established LEF series, including a battery-free absolute encoder. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

The electric cylinders of the LEY series are now also available in size 16, offering users improved installation possibilities alongside the extensive advantages of the existing series. The newly available battery-free absolute encoder ensures quick restart without a reference run. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

For general transfer of workpieces, but also for special tasks such as press-in applications or precise workpiece positioning, engineers across the industry rely on electric drives. In cases of particularly tight space conditions or the development of compact machine designs, electric drives must be designed to save space accordingly. To meet these requirements even better, SMC has now added size 16 to its proven series LEF (electric spindle drive) and LEY (electric cylinder). Engineers continue to benefit from the many advantages such as shock absorbers, two drive options, as well as optional protection class IP67 and high precision. Additionally, in both cases, a batteryless absolute encoder ensures quick (re)commissioning without time-consuming reference runs.

From the automotive, electrical, and semiconductor industries to the food and beverage sector and general automation: electric drives are indispensable for a wide range of transfer and positioning applications. Designers are often faced with the challenge of finding solutions for tight spaces or developing compact machine designs. To better meet these requirements, SMC has now added size 16 to its industry-proven and established electric cylinders of series LEY and electric spindle drives of series LEF. This allows users to benefit from their already extensive features while optimizing space requirements for applications with low payloads and, thanks to the batteryless absolute encoder, to restart production from the current position even after a sudden stop.

For high precision – LEF#16E

The electric drives of series LEF#16, equipped either with belt drive (LEFB16E) or ball screw drive (LEFS16E), can be mounted either horizontally or parallel to the right or left. Strokes between 50 mm and 500 mm are possible in steps of 50 mm, with travel ranges (axial or parallel) between 500 and 1200 mm. At a horizontal payload of 14 kg or a vertical payload of 2 kg, speeds range from 10 to 700 mm/s – at a horizontal payload of 15 kg or a vertical payload of 4 kg, speeds range from 5 to 360 mm/s. The maximum acceleration/deceleration is 3000 mm/s². Like the previously available sizes 25, 32, and 40, the new size 16 also features shock absorbers that ensure smooth transport of workpieces at high speeds.

The high repeat positioning accuracy is already ±0.02 mm in the basic version – in the precision version, it reaches ±0.015 mm (with a slope of ±0.02 mm). The backlash also impresses with a maximum of 0.1 mm (basic version) or 0.05 mm (precision version). This allows for the reliable implementation of highly precise applications. Since the main housing can be installed without removing the outer cover, users benefit from reduced assembly time. For special applications in clean or dry rooms, such as battery manufacturing, the series 11-LEF and 25A-LEF are also available.

Especially safe – LEY16E

In size 16, the electric cylinder with ball screw drive can optionally be operated with either a stepper or servo motor (each 24 VDC). It can be mounted either parallel or axially from above – for the latter mounting position, options for the orientation of the motor housing are left, right, top, or bottom. With a positioning repeat accuracy of ±0.02 mm and a maximum backlash of 0.1 mm, the LEY16E series also meets high precision requirements. For horizontal payloads of 6, 17, or 30 kg, and vertical payloads of 2, 4, or 8 kg, the maximum acceleration/deceleration is 3000 mm/s² – for horizontal payloads of 10, 23, or 35 kg, it is up to 2000 mm/s².

Users can choose stroke lengths of 30, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 mm. As with sizes 25, 32, and 40, the optional motor brake also ensures increased safety for operators. Process reliability in harsh environments is guaranteed by variants with protection class IP65 (LEY16-X7) and IP67 (LEY16-X8). This allows vertical and horizontal applications in environments with dust or water jets. Additionally, the special design reduces maintenance efforts.

Quick restart

Both the electric cylinder and the electric spindle drive in the newly added size 16 are equipped with a batteryless absolute encoder. In the event of a power failure or emergency stop, it stores the current position, eliminating the need for time-consuming reference runs upon resumption of operation. Moreover, eliminating the battery reduces storage and maintenance efforts and decreases environmental impact. A clear advantage in terms of cost and sustainability.