BEI Kimco Magnetics’ New Voice Coil Actuator Features Clear Aperture Design for Simplified System Integration

The actuator’s aperture can be used for product feed-through, laser beams or other illumination delivery, as well as for other application-specific functions. This design lends itself to merging the actuator into the customer assembly for a completely integrated system, resulting in reduced weigh, fewer components and a more overall compact product.

In addition to the space-savings through system integration, the through-hole actuator’s small size of only 1.5” diameter and 1.6” in length (at mid-stroke), offers space-saving by itself. Other outstanding product characteristics include a total stroke of 0.25” and a peak force of 15 LB – a high strength, given that the center opening means less magnetic material to conduct magnetic flux.

The new offering was developed to meet specific requirements for an optical application. In this instance, the laser beam passes through the middle hole of the actuator and a lens is assembled to the coil, becoming an integral part of the system. When the coil/lens moves, the actuator changes the focus and dithers the laser beam. The concept can be used for a variety of other industrial applications where integration and simplicity can be adapted for volume and cost savings.