Hydraulic Rotary Actuators
Customize a rotary actuator to your application or replace it with a drop-in model. Choose from our high-quality, German made actuators or fast, reliable replacements designed for leading brands like Helac.
Often custom-designed to meet specific needs, hydraulic rotary actuators provide durability and dependability.
Compact actuators with high torque and bearing capacity with short lead times and flexible shipping methods.
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What Makes Us Different?
Helical Spline Technology
Helical gear rotary actuators are designed with space in mind and are suitable for many applications needing a compact solution.
Fast, Ready Drop-Ins
The IC Series can be used as a drop-in replacement to Helac’s rotary actuators and offers quick lead times of 20-26 weeks (or 10-14 weeks with expedited shipping.)
Customized Solutions
70% of Eckart’s rotary actuators are custom-designed to meet customer needs. Tell us your application and we will present you with an optimal solution.
Rotary Actuators 101
What are Rotary Actuators?
In its simplest form, a hydraulic rotary actuator is a device that uses hydraulic fluid to generate rotary motion without a linkage. These devices come in handy when applications call for any form of transporting, securing, or positioning of parts.
How do Rotary Actuators Work?
In terms of design, hydraulic rotary actuators are most often configured as vane type, rack-and-pinon type, or helical spline actuators.
IC-Fluid Power’s rotary actuators are the helical spline design. This means, a piston and a helix, or sliding spline, work together to convert the linear motion of the piston into rotational motion. Helical spline actuators function when the piston is axially displaced using hydraulic pressure causing simultaneous rotation of the piston.
Hydraulic rotary actuators are typically designed to operate at low speeds and produce high torque through arc lengths ranging between 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360°. They also can be configured up to 720° or more by making the spline gears longer while maintaining the same diameter.
Rotary Actuator Benefits
Hydraulic rotary actuators are known for their strong ability to produce power quickly. In comparison to pneumatic and electric rotary actuators, hydraulic actuators are the most powerful and have the capacity to achieve a torque output up to 2,200,000 Ibs-in (250,000 Nm) as a helical spline actuator and even higher as a rack and pinion actuator.
Application Examples and Solutions
From manipulating the angle of a boom in construction applications to opening or closing flaps in the aircraft and aerospace industries, rotary actuators are dependable and durable devices used for a wide range of uses.
Simple Tool Changes
Gate Valve Control
Tipping Devices
Simple Tool Changes
Rotary actuators can function as simple tool changers. One example of this is using a rotary-linear actuator for a pallet changer that weighs 1,000 kg. This device is a combination of a rotary actuator and a dual-action linear cylinder, allowing for full flexibility in a minimal amount of space. Since the rotary actuator and the linear cylinder are hydraulically driven separately, any movement sequences can be selected: for example, rotating to the left and right, extending linearly, and retracting.
Gate Valve Control
A hydraulic rotary actuator could also be used for gate valve control too. While a hydraulic rotary actuator may be more expensive than pneumatic actuators, these devices have a higher level of precision, require less space, and can achieve high torque outputs. Other uses for rotary actuators include linear actuation, bending machines, work piece positioning, rotational devices, and transport applications.
Tipping Devices
One common application is using a rotary actuator for tipping devices. A helical rotary actuator, for example, would be a suitable option for bin tippers in waste management applications due to its high torque in a compact package.
Other Uses
Other uses for hydraulic rotary actuators include linear actuation, bending machines, work piece positioning, rotational devices, and transport applications.