The tool includes an interactive questionnaire that starts with an analysis of the drive requirements and then leads to the appropriate actuator solution. "Given the specific design of our electric linear actuators, it sometimes happens that they are not ideal for a particular application, for example when a user selects the product without the support of our application engineers," says Håkan Persson, Product Line Director for Thomson Linear Actuators. "Starting from a datasheet alone may get you close to the right solution, but ignoring the context of some basic application parameters can quickly lead to a costly mistake. Our application engineers are trained to ask the right questions for an optimized selection and are happy to provide advice. However, many designers prefer to proceed independently. Naturally, we respect this wish and have therefore developed our Linear Motioneering tool to support them."

Step by step through the sizing process
The selection tool guides the user step by step through the sizing process of an electric linear actuator according to its application. The same questions are asked about the mechanical, electrical and control requirements that a Thomson application engineer would ask. As the user works through the questionnaire, help buttons with additional information, tutorials and videos are displayed. For example, the help button in the environmental conditions section leads to a tutorial explaining the different types of protection (IP).

Once users have selected their product, they can navigate to a page that gives them access to CAD models, technical documents, upfront prices and delivery times. In addition to system developers, distributors, machine builders and end users can also use the tool to select parts for exchange or replacement.

The linear motioneering tool has a modular design so that it can be further developed in line with the current Thomson product range. The company is continually adding new features to its actuator range, most recently integrated intelligence and connectivity. This enables customers to make the most of the latest technological advances. as