SMC Corporation has been a leader in industrial pneumatic devices and fittings that are commonly used in the automation industry. SMC continues to advance its solutions by incorporating new technology into existing product lines. Recently, SMC added to its valve manifold line and its rotary actuator line.
A rotary actuator is similar to a linear actuator — only the motion is rotary instead of linear. There are two ports, and pressurizing one will drive the actuator in one direction while the other port will drive it back. SMC’s CRB series of rotary actuators come in five different sizes, offering different port pressure ratings and port sizes. Different models can be selected, including without an auto switch, with a vertical auto switch, with an angle adjustment unit, and with a vertical auto switch and an angle adjustment.
Now, the CRB series has received more torque thanks to the double vane option. A double vane rotary actuator can deliver more rotating torque because of the second vane within the housing. The double vane, however, comes at a cost with a higher weight, sometimes a larger body, and a reduction in rotating angle selections.
The double vane is available in all the CRB models and has a rotating angle of 90° or 100°. The available sizes for the double vane option range from 10 to 40, with the size 10 having the lowest operating pressure and the size 40 having the largest operating pressure. The CDRB, which is a rotary actuator with a standard auto switch, is not available with a double vane.