100N High Force Short Travel Flat Voice Coil Actuator for Servo Valve Actuation

Compared with the rectangular series, the flat-type voice coil motor series has a relatively shorter stroke for the same volume, but its advantage lies in its lower profile. It delivers a thrust of up to 500 N and a stroke of up to 15 mm. The VCAP0100-0020-00A is the model with the highest thrust in the flat-type series. At 25°C, it can generate a peak thrust of 100 N and a continuous thrust of 47 N over a stroke of just 4 mm, with a maximum terminal voltage of 41.2 V, a back-EMF constant of 80.1 V/m/s, and dimensions of 110 × 105 × 51 mm. The design intent is straightforward: to replace a small pneumatic cylinder with an electrically controlled equivalent that maintains the same short operating stroke, whilst adding programmable force, programmable speed and position feedback, thereby replacing fixed air pressure and hard stops.

Although pneumatic drives are fast and low-cost, their operating mode is binary: either air is supplied or it is cut off. Using proportional valves for regulation increases costs and air consumption, and leads to a sluggish response in the pressure circuit; moreover, the cylinder still requires a valve block, piping and a compressor mounted on the base. A short-stroke voice coil actuator can achieve the same motion via an electrical signal. Force is linearly proportional to current, so clamping stations can apply a force precisely within the workpiece’s tolerance limits; valves can be opened under a known spring preload, whilst controlling the closing speed to avoid water hammer effects. As there are no gas springs or sealing friction, positional repeatability is high, and the coil can hold at any position within its stroke, not just at the two end points. Response times are in the millisecond range, and as this flat voice-coil motor is capable of high-frequency cycling, it is suitable for sorting, punching or rejection stations—where pneumatic cylinders would be limited by exhaust times. The coil itself also acts as a natural force sensor, as current feedback reflects the load condition; consequently, the controller can determine whether a workpiece is present, correctly positioned or jammed without the need for additional proximity switches.

Servo valve and proportional valve actuation, high speed clamping and gripper jaws, sorting and rejection gates on packaging lines, punch and stamping drives for thin sheet, electrode positioning on EDM machines, textile needle and yarn tension devices, and short stroke dosing valves for grease and sealant.

Q: Is 4 mm of stroke enough to replace a pneumatic cylinder?
A: For clamping, gripping, sorting gates, valve spools and punch tools it usually is, because these mechanisms only need a short working gap. If a longer travel is required, the 16 mm and 20 mm models in the same family cover it.

Q: How do I hold the clamp closed if power fails?
A: A voice coil cannot hold without current. For fail safe clamping, pair it with a spring that closes the jaw and let the coil open it, so a loss of power produces the safe state.

Q: What drive voltage is needed?
A: The model is specified at 41.2 V maximum. A 48 V bus servo drive with a current loop rated for at least 8 A gives full peak force with headroom for the current loop bandwidth.

Q: Will it overheat in a high cycle application?
A: Continuous force of 47 N is defined at 25°C with adequate cooling. Above roughly 30 N of average force a heat sink plate or forced air is recommended, and a thermal switch can be fitted on request.

Q: Can force be programmed as a profile?
A: Yes. Because force follows current, the drive can execute a multi step force profile, for example a fast approach, a soft touch and a final clamp, all inside one cycle.

Actuator, mounting screws and wiring diagram are included. Heat sink plates, hall feedback boards and matched 48 V drives are available as accessories.