Exlar's History

Founded in 1990 and being familiar with fluid power systems and their inherent flaws, Exlar’s engineers were determined to develop an alternative actuation method. Manufacturers needed a product with improved positioning and performance that would eliminate the inefficiencies and leaks that come with pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders.

Understanding the Difference
Hydraulic cylinders, while robust and reliable, require pressurized oil and significant maintenance to achieve consistent levels of positioning accuracy. Fluid leaks are common, causing both end-product and environmental contamination. As seen in the comparative table, pneumatics also has advantages, but fails to provide a viable solution where positioning, stiffness, and accuracy are required.

Industry was ready for a cleaner, more efficient and more accurate solution.

By 2004, Exlar perfected the motor / actuator configuration to meet industry demand. Now, Exlar electromechanical actuators offer a variety of configurations to transform motion into a competitive advantage in virtually any industry. From stand-alone roller screw actuators to integrated motor / actuators and fully integrated drive / motor / actuators with AC or DC powered servo drives, we have the optimal solution.

As one of the world’s foremost suppliers of actuation products, Exlar Automation continues to develop new products to fit industry demands. We provide highly engineered products and services with a focus on advanced technologies for high performance platforms and critical applications. Exlar engineers have a wealth of knowledge and experience applying the right product or solution to solve our customer’s most difficult automation challenges. Our technological expertise spans decades of innovation with an extensive portfolio of critical technologies serving commercial, defense, energy, and industrial markets. Our technologies, some that are sole source or first-of-a-kind, achieve the demanding performance levels required for optimal safety, performance, and reliability in difficult “must-not-fail” applications. Our commitment to developing, implementing, and supporting automation solutions for end users and OEMs is paramount. It is this reputation, along with a technology that speaks for itself, that has made Exlar our customers “first choice” in actuation.

WHY USE EXLAR

THE NEED FOR A BETTER ALTERNATIVE: ELECTRIC ACTUATION

In an industrial world familiar with fluid power systems (hydraulics and pneumatics), we recognized the need to develop a new and improved form of actuation.

Electric Actuator Advantages

• Provide better positioning performance
• Obtain greater control flexibility
• Eliminate fluid leaks
• Improve energy efficiency
• Maintain the robustness and reliability of existing technologies

The Logic Behind “All-Electric” Actuation
Since electrical power is readily available and is in fact needed to create fluid power, it seemed a logical place to start. Developing an all-electric solution would:

• Eliminate the primary source of inefficiency: the conversion of electrical power to fluid power and then to the desired mechanical motion
• Be easier to operate since control systems universally depend on electrical signals

Evaluating the existing options, along with the advantages and disadvantages, was key to Exlar creating electric actuation solutions for linear and rotary motion that work for our customers.