Quick Answer:
Short Answer
Yes. Roll-2-Roll electromechanical actuators directly replace hydraulic cylinders, eliminating fluid leaks, filter maintenance, and valve balancing while providing equal or greater thrust.
Roll-2-Roll Technologies actuators are specifically designed for hydraulic cylinder replacement in unwind and rewind guiding applications:
What You Eliminate:
- Hydraulic fluid and the risk of product contamination from leaks
- Filter changes and fluid maintenance (typically 2-4 times per year)
- Seal replacement and valve rebalancing
- Hydraulic power unit (HPU) maintenance and energy costs
What You Gain:
- Clean, dry operation—critical for food, pharmaceutical, and medical applications
- Full thrust at zero speed (hydraulics struggle with static positioning)
- Smooth response at variable speeds without the "stick-slip" behavior of hydraulics
- Digital communication via EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or EtherCAT for integration with modern PLCs
Retrofit Options:
- RLA Series: Rotary stepper with belt/pulley and ball screw, thrust up to 2,000 lbf
- BLA Series: Inline stepper with external ball screw for terminal guide applications
Most hydraulic retrofits can be completed in a scheduled maintenance window without major mechanical modifications to the existing stand structure.