A new type of rotary actuator, based on “recliner” car seat technology and subject to a Swedish patent, has been launched by SKF Engineering Products. Designated the CRAB 05, it is designed as a more compact and neater design alternative to linear actuators, and it operates with both torque and radial forces. The CRAB 05 Rotary Actuator comprises two interconnected slim planetary gearboxes, which develop a final gear ratio of 1:56; equal to the difference between them. This allows for a high movement ratio, with a simple design having few moving parts. In operation, an equal loading across the planetary gear set ensures any wear will be consistent and even. CRAB 05 can be used with or without a motor and has a torque rating of up to 100 Nm. Being disk shaped, the unit has a thickness of just 18mm and the outside diameter is only 90mm. Installation is simple via two 8mm holes on each gearbox housing. The sun gear is connected to the motor shaft either by 8 mm D-plane hole or 8 mm hexagonal drive.
