Rotary Actuators Precautions 1 Be sure to read this before handling. Warning 1. Confirm the specifications. Products represented in this catalog are designed only for use in compressed air systems (including vacuum). Do not operate at pressures or temperatures, etc., beyond the range of specifications, as this can cause damage or malfunction. (Refer to the specifications.) Please contact SMC when using a fluid other than compressed air (including vacuum). We do not guarantee against any damage if the product is used outside of the specification range. 2. If the operation involves load fluctuations, ascending/descending movements, or changes in frictional resistance, make sure to provide safety measures. Operating speed will increase, and bodily injury may occur, or damage to the machinery itself may occur. 3. If there is a chance that the product will pose a hazard to humans, install a protective cover. If the moving portion of the product will pose a hazard to humans or will damage machinery or equipment, provide a construction that prevents direct contact with those areas. 4. Be certain that the secured portions will not loosen. Be certain to adopt a reliable connecting method if the rotary actuator is used very frequently or if it is used in a location that is exposed to a large amount of vibration. 5. There may be cases in which a speed reduction circuit or a shock absorber is required. If the driven object moves at high speeds or is heavy, it will be unfeasible for only the rotary actuator’s cushion to absorb the shock. Therefore, provide a speed-reduction circuit to reduce the rotary actuator’s speed before the thrust is applied to the cushion, or an external shock absorber to dampen the shock. If these countermeasures are taken, make sure to take the rigidity of the machinery and equipment into consideration. 6. Consider the possibility of a reduction in the circuit air pressure caused by a power failure. When an actuator is used as clamping mechanism, there is a danger of workpiece dropping if there is a decrease in clamping force, due to a drop in circuit pressure caused by a power failure. Therefore, safety equipment should be installed to prevent damage to machinery/equipment and bodily injury. 7. Consider the possibility of power source related malfunctions that could occur. For the machinery and equipment that rely on power sources such as compressed air, electricity, or hydraulic pressure, adopt a countermeasure to prevent the equipment from causing a hazard to humans or damage to the machinery and equipment in the event of malfunction. 8. If a speed controller is provided in the exhaust restrictor, implement a safety design taking the residual pressure into consideration. If air pressure is applied to the air supply side without residual pressure in the exhaust side, the rotary actuator will operate at abnormally high speed, which could pose a hazard to humans and can damage the machinery and equipment. 9. Consider the behavior of the rotary actuator in the event of an emergency stop. Devise a safe system so that if a person engages the emergency stop, or if a safety device is tripped during a system malfunction such as a power failure, the movement of the rotary actuator will not cause a hazard to humans or damage the equipment. 10. Consider the action of the rotary actuator when restarting after an emergency stop. Devise a safe design so that the restarting of the rotary actuator will not pose a hazard to humans or damage the equipment. Install manually controlled equipment for safety when the actuator has to be reset to the starting position. 11. Do not use the product as a shock absorber. If an abnormal pressure or air leakage occurs, the rotary actuator’s speed reduction capability could become severely effected, which could pose a hazard to humans and damage the machinery and equipment. 12. Select a speed within the product’s allowable energy value. If the product’s kinetic energy of the load exceeds the allowable value, it could damage the product (damage to the shaft, gear, etc.), and cause a hazard to humans and damage the machinery and equipment. 13. Provide a shock absorber if the kinetic energy that is applied to the product exceeds the allowable value. If the product’s kinetic energy exceeds the allowable value, it could damage the product (damage to the shaft, gear, etc.), and cause a hazard to humans and damage the machinery or equipment. 14. Do not stop or hold the product at midpoint by keeping air pressure in the product. (Air balancers etc.) For a product lacking an external stopping mechanism, if the directional control valve is closed to keep the air pressure in the product, in an attempt to stop the product at midpoint, it might not be possible to maintain that stopped position due to an air leakage. As a result, it could pose a hazard to humans and cause damage to machinery and/or equipment. 15. Give consideration to the decline in strength caused by changes of the shaft type. Some shaft types, such as simple specials, may have shapes and dimensions that result in decreased strength when compared with standard models. Consider this carefully when using. 16. Do not use two or more rotary actuators with the aim of synchronized movement. One of the actuators may bear the load of operation, making synchronized movement impossible, and possibly leading to deformation of the equipment. 17. Do not use in a location where adverse effect could be occurred by the oozing of the lubricant to the exterior. The lubricant coating the interior of the product may leak to the outside of the product from the portion of the connection of the rotary shaft, body cover, etc. 18. Do not disassemble the product or make any modifications, including additional machining. It may cause human injury and/or an accident. 19. Refer to the Auto Switches Precautions (pages 13 to 17) for using with an auto switch. Design/Selection 23 B