Cobots — electric or pneumatic?

08 November, 2023

The limits

Despite the many advantages of pneumatic cobots, there are still situations where electric alternatives might be preferable. It is the case, for example, of applications that require precise and rapid tweaks of speed. Pneumatic systems allow for limited speed control compared to their electric counterparts, which offer complete motion control, including the option to program them with custom speeds.

Another typical drawback of pneumatic systems is that the compressed air used to power them contains water, which can build up in the pipes and affect the functionality and lifespan of cobots. This can also be a problem in freezing conditions, such as those that can be found in some food and beverage applications.

Finally, pneumatic actuators are best used in light and medium-duty applications, but might not be powerful enough for heavy-duty applications, where an electric alternative might be more suitable.

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