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Choosing an actuator for a robot joint involves more variables than it might seem. Space is limited, yet the required torque still has to be met, and durability has to hold up over time. Focusing only on size often means sacrificing output, while focusing only on output can create problems with mounting structure or weight.
This is why applications with limited installation space, such as robot joints or the drive units of automation equipment, call for electric actuators that balance compact size with stable output. As robots and automation equipment trend toward smaller, lighter designs, compact drive solutions capable of delivering reliable force within tight spatial constraints, such as small actuators, have become increasingly important.
This article covers the basic concept of electric actuators, why they matter in robot drive units, and the features that define the BCSA series from Bonsystems.
What Is An Electric Actuator?
Key Summary — An electric actuator uses electrical energy to generate rotational or linear motion, combining a motor with a reducer and control elements. In robotics, it is the core component that produces joint movement.
An electric actuator is a drive device that uses electrical energy to generate rotational or linear motion. It typically combines a motor with a reducer and control elements, allowing equipment or robots to move at the desired force and speed.
In robotics, actuators are the core component that produces joint movement, applied across a wide range of parts, from the leg joints of walking robots to the drive units of collaborative robots. An actuator does more than simply generate movement. It plays a critical role in determining the quality and stability of a robot’s motion.
So what should you look for when selecting an actuator?
Why Are Compact Electric Actuators Needed?
Key Summary — In robot joints and mobile robots, the size and weight of drive components directly affect the overall design. A small actuator still needs to deliver required torque reliably and maintain consistent performance under repeated operation.
Designing a robot to be small and lightweight requires reducing the size and weight of its drive units. This is especially true for structures with limited mounting space, such as robot joints or mobile robots, where the size and weight of individual components directly affect the overall design.
A larger actuator can make a joint bulkier or increase the robot’s overall footprint, while also limiting how surrounding components can be arranged. Heavier drive units also demand more driving force, which puts additional strain on power consumption and battery efficiency.
That said, a small actuator needs more than just a compact size. It still has to deliver the required torque reliably within a limited space and maintain consistent performance under repeated operation. This is why selecting an electric actuator for robotic applications means looking beyond size and weight to torque, reduction ratio, drive stability, and mounting structure as well.
Key Features Of The BCSA Series For Robotic Applications
Key Summary — The BCSA series is a compact actuator built on cycloidal reduction technology, developed with robot joint applications in mind. RI and RO types cover different priorities: agile movement in confined mounting space (RI) and thin, strong-torque performance (RO).
The BCSA series was developed to give robot drive unit designers more freedom, built on cycloidal reduction technology to deliver a compact actuator. It was engineered with the output and durability required for robot joint drives in mind, making it well suited to robot platforms that call for a compact form, a slim structure, or a separable housing design.
The BCSA series is divided into RI and RO types depending on the intended application and operating conditions. The RI type suits drive units that require a compact size and fast response, making it a good fit for robot platforms that need agile movement within a limited mounting space.
The RO type features a thin profile and strong torque output, making it well suited to environments like robot joints, where both strong output and structural efficiency are needed at the same time. In this way, the BCSA series is structured so the right type can be chosen based on a robot’s structure and drive purpose.
The BCSA series offers a practical option for the robotics market, where miniaturization and drive performance both need to be addressed. For environments like robot joints, where mounting space is limited and stable output delivery is essential, the structure and reduction ratio lineup of the BCSA actuator series are worth a closer look.
To meet the evolving needs of the robotics market, we continue to develop products built on cycloidal reduction technology, offered across a range of reduction ratios and designed with robot joint applications in mind, so they can be used across a variety of robot platforms.
If you need consultation or a quote for a drive solution suited to your industrial application, feel free to reach out through our website. Drawing on our expertise in robotic hardware and automation drive technology, we’ll propose a solution tailored to your specific application environment.
F.A.Q
Q: What role does an electric actuator play?
A: An electric actuator is a drive device that uses electrical energy to produce rotational or linear motion. In robots and automation equipment, it generates movement in the desired direction and delivers the necessary force and speed. In robotics, it’s applied to joint drive units, rotating shafts, and transfer mechanisms.
Q: Why are small actuators necessary?
A: For platforms where lightweight, compact design matters, such as humanoid robots, quadruped walking robots, collaborative robots, and service robots, the size and weight of drive components have a major impact on the overall design. Using a small actuator allows for more flexible joint design and helps reduce added weight, which in turn improves energy efficiency and mobility.
Q: What environments suit a thin actuator like the BCSA RO type?
A: A thin actuator suits robots and automation equipment where mounting space is limited or joint thickness needs to be minimized. Examples include robotic arms, the joints of walking robots, collaborative robot drive units, and compact automation devices. A slim structure also gives more freedom in arranging surrounding components and designing the overall equipment.
