Festo has launched a series of electrical piston-rod cylinders that provide high accuracy programmable positioning capabilities. The new DNCE series electrical cylinders are mechanically 100% compatible with Festo’s popular DNC pneumatic cylinders, enabling machine designers and builders to implement mixed technology automation systems very easily. The lead screw variants can handle up to 1 m/s2 acceleration and offer a repetition accuracy of ±0.07 mm. The ball screw variants, which offer a choice of two different spindle pitches with efficiencies of up to 95%, can accommodate up to 6 m/s2 and have a very high repetition accuracy of ±0.02 mm. Depending upon the cylinder size and spindle, DNCE series cylinders can achieve feed velocities of up to 1000 mm/s and feed forces as high as 2000 N. DNCE series cylinders are suitable for use with a wide range of stepper and servomotors, including third-party products, which can be mounted in-line or in parallel using a toothed belt coupler. When teamed with Festo’s MTR-DCI intelligent servomotors, DNCE cylinders provide a complete, all-in-one programmable positioning system. These innovative motors incorporate gearing, together with an optical encoder and all necessary controller and power electronics, in a single, compact package, and even offer a built-in LCD option which enables the entire motion control axis to be commissioned at the point of use, if required. The controller is capable of storing 16 motion control programs in non-volatile memory – including profiles for constant acceleration and braking – and the drive electronics accommodates variable velocity and positioning. Customers can easily specify an actuator, mountings and motor / drive combination in a single part number, reducing administration. Festo also produces a wide range of mounting and rod end coupling accessories for use with DNCE series electrical cylinders, including ball, clevis and rod types.