Electric cylinder with control unit

We are your specialist when it comes to electric cylinders with controls. We offer electric cylinders from the brands Linak, Baumeister & Schack and TiMotion.

There are different designs for electric cylinders. Most electric cylinders are single, double or even triple telescopic. Here, steel or aluminium profiles inserted into each other move up and down. The profiles are then given torsional stability by overlapping each other. Electric cylinders with controls are available in a wide range of stroke lengths and thicknesses.

Every electric cylinder or lifting column requires a control unit to function, which monitors the movement and travel. Thanks to Hall sensors installed around the spindle in the electric cylinder, the spindle, which is fitted with small magnets, sends 2 - 4 Hall sensor signals per revolution back to the control unit. The more Hall signals an electric cylinder sends back to the control unit per revolution, the more precise the position query. Thanks to the Hall signals, the control unit knows exactly what height the electric cylinder is at. The mini magnets have a magnetic field, which the Hall sensors register and transmit to the control system.

The control unit also monitors the motor current consumption during operation of the electric cylinder. The electric motor in the electric cylinder requires a certain number of amperes to set the drive in motion. In this case, the current curve is linear and only increases slightly under load and then remains at this level. In the event of a collision, however, the current consumption rises sharply (peak). This causes the control unit to recognise a blockage, as the electric drive suddenly draws more current than previously required. There is therefore a very steep increase on the Storm side. The control system switches immediately (in the case of Linak) and allows the electric cylinder to travel in the opposite direction (anti-collision). This process is similar to the safety device in the car door of an electrically opening windscreen. This prevents jamming or injuries. Some control systems even have a motion recording function, similar to a black box in an aeroplane. This allows the control unit to be read out and recognise whether the duty cycle (ED) or a jamming or collision has occurred. Among other things, this is important to be able to recognise whether an operator error (installation error) or an overload has damaged the electric cylinder or lifting column.