New electric cylinders with IO-link servo technology
norelem has announced it has expanded its product range with the launch of new electric cylinders featuring integrated IO-Link servo technology.
The electric cylinders is a compact and energy-efficient alternative to pneumatic cylinders, the new actuators provide precise linear movement for applications in mechanical engineering, medical technology and wider automated production environments.
The electric cylinders combine a brushless servo motor, a servo controller and a recirculating ball spindle within a single, compact housing. Using the IO-Link interface, setpoint values can be transmitted in real time and speeds, accelerations and positions can be variably adjusted, even during complex servo-positioning tasks.
The devices require no additional space in the switch box, and both speed and force limitation can be controlled directly via the external twist knob. Their design follows ISO 15552, ensuring compatibility with existing brackets, connection components and accessories, which makes integration into established machine setups straightforward.
Almir Jakupovik, Sales Director at norelem, said: “With efficiency and digitalisation shaping modern machine design, engineers are increasingly looking for alternatives to pneumatic systems that offer greater control and long-term performance.
“Our new electric cylinders meet these demands. By combining compact mechanics with IO-Link intelligence, they deliver precise, adaptable and data-rich motion control for a wide range of engineering applications.”
To support a wide range of application requirements, the cylinders are available in two sizes. Size 60 offers spindle pitches of 5 or 10 mm, stroke lengths of 100, 150, 200 or 300 mm, speeds up to 600 mm/s and forces up to 800 N.
Size 80 features a 5 mm spindle pitch, stroke lengths of 100, 200 or 300 mm, speeds up to 300 mm/s and forces up to 1500 N. Both sizes operate at 24 – 48 V and deliver a lifetime of up to 10,000 km or 20,000 working hours.
Typical applications include automated assembly systems, testing equipment, production machinery and medical devices – environments where repeatable positioning, variable speed control and low-maintenance operation are critical. The IO-Link interface further enhances usability by enabling rapid parameterisation, monitoring and diagnostics directly from the controller, providing engineers with greater transparency over system performance and behaviour.
Compared with pneumatic cylinders, electric cylinders with IO-Link offer higher precision, better energy efficiency and greater installation flexibility. They require only power and IO-Link cables to set up, and because they contain fewer wear parts than pneumatic systems, they demand less maintenance over their lifetime. Their self-inhibiting behaviour when stationary also ensures reduced energy consumption during operation.
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