Dissatisfied with the speed and control limitations of rotary actuators used in laser scanning and other optical and lighting applications, Pangolin Laser Systems has introduced a low-power rotary actuator based on a new dual-coil, segmented stator design. The VRAD-1510 significantly increases the speed, range of rotation, response, and precision of motor shaft movement while reducing the actuator’s cost by at least a third compared to existing devices. 
The key innovation is the patent-pending stator design, which uses a series of asymmetrical, interleaved laminations that are inexpensive to make, easy to assemble, and which fit together in a way that prevents the introduction of air gaps to the motor’s magnetic field.
The design also uses two separately accessible coils and several other innovations resulting in a compact, quiet, and durable low-power actuator. The VRAD-1510 uses a magnetic spring and pre-loaded precision ball bearings for improved durability. The design also precludes the need for mechanical stops on shaft rotation, all but eliminating noise, wear, and vibration, while enabling a wider range of potential applications. The range of shaft rotation is greater than +/- 60 degrees from the neutral position.
The actuator’s coils can be driven in series, parallel, or separately, opening up many options for how the device can be employed. For example, instead of using two coils to produce torque, one can be used for velocity sensing or dynamic breaking. The actuator also incorporates front and rear shafts, allowing multiple points of attachment or the use of an encoder or position sensor for closed-loop operation.
The VRAD-1510 is configurable to customer specifications of all key parameters, including torque factor, magnetic spring stiffness, coil resistance and inductance, shaft diameter and length, bearing pre-load, and temperature operating range. The VRAD-1510 has a rectangular-shaped stator with exterior dimensions of 1.5 x 1.0 x 1.5in.
The VRAD-1510, while conceived for use in high-speed laser scanning and lighting gear, is sufficiently versatile and low cost to be used across a wide range of electro-mechanical applications, including mechanical and automotive systems, industrial and commercial machinery, robotics, vending, HVAC, valve control, and other uses.
A datasheet is available from at www.pangolin.com/VRAD.
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