Modern fluid systems perform optimally when control movements are precise, repeatable, and easy to maintain. At ETI Systems, our engineers design each actuator to deliver consistent motion and accurate feedback in real-world applications. We preload the gear train and use low-backlash couplings, ensuring that position changes occur consistently every time.
In our testing phase, we verify the minimum resolvable step, assess repeatability from both approach directions, and check full-stroke linearity. We also conduct heat soak and cool soak tests to monitor for any drift before the units are deployed to your operation. All components, including seals, bearings, and thermal paths, are sized according to their duty cycle to ensure smooth motion, while the PLC receives clean and stable signals throughout long shifts.
Read this blog to learn how to choose the right Actuator for your application. Learn about longevity and performance fundamentals, reliability in harsh environments, quick case snapshots, and a step-by-step spec checklist.
Reliable performance comes from choices you can verify in testing and trust in the application. Each actuator is designed to operate smoothly from day one and maintain calibration even after years of use in the field.
Select materials to match the site, then prove the seal. We pair coated housings with shaft seals and gaskets sized for expected washdown and dust. Elastomers are chosen for temperature range and media compatibility. Cable entries and strain relief are designed to block capillary ingress. During bench checks, we verify leak integrity and confirm smooth travel after a water spray and temperature cycle, so the Actuator holds calibration through cleaning and weather.
Feedback quality shapes loop stability. We specify a potentiometer, a Hall sensor, or an encoder based on required linearity, resolution, and service routine, then align the scaling with your PLC input. Acceptance means recording a baseline step test, checking repeatability from both approach directions, and confirming that the signal remains steady during a slow crawl. These checks give you position data you can rely on during trims and holds.
Duty is more than a label. We size motors, gearing, and thermal paths for expected strokes per hour, dwell time at load, and ambient extremes. On the bench, we run a heat soak and log stroke time drift across a sequence of moves. If the profile calls for frequent micro steps, we confirm the unit can modulate without nuisance trips. Proper headroom protects gears, bearings, and insulation over long shifts.
Integration should be clear from the first power-up. We provide standard on/off or proportional inputs, simple limit and torque settings, and test points for quick meter checks. Commissioning includes verifying end limits, mapping 4–20 mA or 0–10 V to LRV and URV, and saving signature traces of command versus position. With these records, maintenance can confirm performance after service and spot drift before it affects the line.
When conditions change, control must remain steady. We engineer the Actuator and its feedback system to maintain stable setpoints through washdown, weather, and vibration.
Select the IP rating to match cleaning pressure and exposure, then build the barrier. Use coated housings, stainless fasteners, and compression cable glands with proper strain relief to stop capillary ingress. Add hydrophobic breather vents to manage condensation and specify drip loops on field wiring. Verify the seal with a directed spray test and a post-test position check so the Actuator keeps calibration after sanitation and storms.
Define the ambient range and the duty profile, then confirm stability at the edges. We heat soak and cold soak units and record stroke time and position repeatability before and after. Near pumps and fans, isolation mounts and locking hardware protect alignment while the drive train maintains resolution. These practices keep the loop inside its band without extra retuning.
Match materials and elastomers to the media on site. Choose FKM, EPDM, or PTFE seals as compatibility requires, and pair anodized or coated housings with sealed enclosures and filter breathers. Where dust or fines are present, add covers on unused ports and plan purge air if needed. Acceptance includes a short exposure trial and a motion smoothness check to confirm reliable control.
Keep signals clean from the start. Separate power and analog wiring, land shields at one end, and use twisted pairs for 4–20 mA or 0–10 V inputs. Bond the housing to earth and add surge suppression and ferrites where transients are common. During commissioning, inject a small disturbance and confirm the reading stays steady so diagnostics reflect the process.
See how teams apply ETI actuators to common automation problems. Each snapshot shows choices that protect accuracy, uptime, and maintenance time.
Filtration trains work best when the valve reaches small setpoint changes without chatter. We pair verified feedback with a smooth gear train so the actuator can trim flow across media beds while holding differential pressure and turbidity targets. During startup and after backwash, teams run a quick span check, record stroke time, and confirm repeatability from both approach directions. These steps keep alarms low and help crews restore normal service fast after cartridge or valve work.
Batching and CIP demand small, predictable moves that repeat hour after hour. A proportional actuator supports fine steps during blend additions and returns to known positions at changeover. We align scaling with the PLC, verify linearity over the working range, and confirm stability after washdown so that lot records match targets without extended retuning. The result is steady fills, fewer corrections, and quicker release to packaging.
Dosing loops carry dead time and can wander without a stable drive. We select feedback resolution and thermal capacity to handle frequent micro moves, then log a baseline step response and a slow crawl to confirm no drift. With clean position data and smooth motion, the controller holds pH and conductivity inside narrow bands during load swings, reducing oscillation and cutting the number of manual trims during shifts.
Start here to turn your site needs into an accurate actuator selection. In the next steps, you’ll set clear objectives, define measurable checks, and lay out a straight path from design review to commissioning.
Define the motion profile and the real load across the full stroke. Include breakaway torque, seating force, and process pressure so the actuator is sized with a margin and reaches the position without strain.
Choose feedback that meets your resolution and linearity needs, then align the control signal with your I/O. Confirm scaling and update rates so readings stay steady during trims and holds.
Pick ingress protection, materials, and temperature range to match the site. Size duty and thermal paths for expected strokes per hour and dwell so performance remains stable through hot days and cold starts.
Set a clear baseline at commissioning and keep essentials on hand. Simple checks and ready spares protect uptime and make audits straightforward.
ETI Systems is at the forefront of designing and manufacturing precision control components tailored for demanding industrial automation environments. Our diverse product lineup includes industrial joysticks, single-turn and linear motion potentiometers, and electric valve actuators designed for fluid control. We merge robust mechanical design with accurate measurements by employing preloaded drive trains, validated feedback systems, and materials specifically selected for their durability against environmental factors, temperature extremes, and heavy-duty use. This approach ensures smooth motion, reliable signals, and a predictable service life.
When you need a reliable actuator, we address your site’s needs directly. We match torque and travel to the valve and align signals with your PLC. We perform acceptance checks that can be replicated in the field. Our clear drawings and simple setup steps make commissioning easy. Proven sealing and verified temperature ranges help maintain calibration between services. After startup, we offer application support, spare parts planning, and guidance for future builds.
It turns a control signal into repeatable motion, landing at a setpoint and holding under load. With a correctly sized actuator and stable feedback, loops stay in band and alarms drop, so operators intervene less.
Choose feedback based on accuracy needs, maintenance style, and environment. The potentiometer is simple and serviceable, the Hall is non-contact and has a long life, and the encoder offers the highest resolution. Match the option to loop tuning and how often you can calibrate.
Use proportional control when you need positions between open and closed. It allows fine trims, steadier setpoints, and fewer cycles than on/off, which protects valves and reduces wear.
Right fit matters most: correct torque or thrust, duty and thermal headroom, plus appropriate IP rating and materials for the site. Solid commissioning and periodic checks help the unit hold calibration over time.
Start with the full‑stroke load, including seating and unseating forces and process pressure. Add a margin for friction and temperature changes, then confirm during commissioning that travel is smooth and repeatable.
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