Design and application engineering both require balance. Most engineering challenges are complex.  Rarely do they involve only one variable or mutual exclusivity between variables. Increase size here and lose some over there. More power means more heat. Faster actuation often leads to higher impulse loading and more wear. The list goes on. Carefully tracing down the contours of a multi-variable manifold is the engineer’s bread and butter. Sizing a solenoid is no different. To prove this, let’s walk through sizing and selecting a solenoid for a fun – yet desperately needed – application: The Application: a breakroom de-scentsitizer: You’re a … Continue reading Selecting and Sizing a Solenoid for Linear Motion

After a two-year hiatus, MODEX was back and bigger than ever. From the very first step onto the show floor, the emerging story was clear. Automation. This material handling industry show looked more like a robotics and automation show. Distribution, warehousing, and fulfillment are undergoing monumental changes in response to the recent events with which we’re all too familiar: labor shortages, rapid e-com growth, and supply chain disruptions. Companies are looking for ways to be more efficient, more responsive, and more flexible. And with this explosive growth in automation, the big question on everyone’s mind seems to be: Are we … Continue reading MODEX: Are Dark Warehouses the Future?

The US ended 2021 with decades high inflation. The pandemic, and the actions taken to contain it, have led to a perfect storm that impacted every aspect of our lives – from personal to professional. We, at Johnson Electric, much like most of our manufacturing counterparts, have battled production shutdowns, labor shortages, rising wages, commodity price increases and shortages, supply chain issues and surging energy costs. In our day-to-day operations, two components stand out as the main drivers of inflation in our business: Raw Materials Copper and steel are the core components in the products we make, and both have … Continue reading Partnership is Key in Mitigating Inflationary Price Increases

A look at modern, technology-driven, security-focused locking mechanisms using solenoids

Security is critical in every aspect of our lives… from protecting personal valuables, important documents, and sensitive paperwork to the way we enter buildings, withdraw money and even open our garage doors. As our technology progresses, so do the ways in which we enhance security all around us.

Many businesses are still using old-fashioned lock and key systems as their primary security measure. However, the industry and security system installers are moving toward electronic locking mechanisms.

AC Laminate Linear Solenoids from Johnson Electric have a T-shaped laminated designed plunger and laminated steel frame.

This platform has the unique ability to hold a hefty load, although with quiet operation. To minimize the humming or chattering of most AC solenoids, we machine the contact surfaces of the laminated frame and plunger to provide an especially smooth and flush contact surface.

Our Super-T Laminates are products developed following years of engineering, research, and manufacturing experience.

Johnson Electric’s SoftShift linear solenoids provide slow, especially smooth position control or high-speed snap-action operation.

SoftShift solenoids have a unique construction that allows easy transition from snap action to variable positioning. Using the same power, the starting force is three to five times higher than standard solenoids at the fully de-energized position, which is advantageous for starting inertial loads or detent mechanisms and conserving electrical power.

Johnson Electric’s Low Profile Linear DC Solenoids offer an extremely compact design which optimizes the magnetic flux path for maximum force versus stroke characteristics.

The construction of the plunger assembly provides an auxiliary flux path which consequently permits a significant increase in force.

The reliability and high performance of the low profile design also make it an ideal choice for applications in which consistent, reliable operation is critical.

Johnson Electric’s Ultimag® rotary actuator technology offers a bidirectional, center return function not found in traditional rotary solenoids.

Substantially faster than other solenoids, the Ultimag platform can operate in an on/off mode or proportionally, in both open and closed-loop systems.

Ultimag® actuators also offer a 45° stroke; however, the design can have a maximum stroke of 160°. For shorter strokes, you can of course use electronic or mechanical stops.

How Rotary Solenoids Work:

When the coil is energized, the armature assembly is pulled towards the stator and rotated through an arc determined by the coining of the raceways.

Our 3 Ball Race rotaries are capable of withstanding a high G load shock without worrying about accidental actuation thanks to the uniquely designed helical raceways and tri-ball bearing setup.

STA Features and Benefits: Strokes up to 1.5” Built-in air gap spacer maximizes life while minimizing cost Magnetic Latches Rated at 25 Million Cycles 7 Pull and Push Models Easy nose mount installation also requires no additional hardware For further information on STA technology, contact our office to speak to a sales representative.