Simplicity in motion

The alternative to pneumatics

www.directthrust.co.uk
0044 (0)1702 614901
0044 (0)1702 614901 www.directthrust.co.uk
 ElectroPistons: Introduction
ElectroPistons from Direct Thrust Designs Ltd are a
new and cost-effective alternative to air pistons. They
have been designed for arduous industrial applications
and use electrical power rather than compressed air
as their energy source. This eliminates the need for air
compressors and the many complicated, expensive and
often polluting components that go with them.

Because ElectroPistons only take electrical power when energised, they are far more economical
to operate as opposed to air pistons powered by continually running air compressors.

Suitable for countless industrial automation applications, ElectroPistons provide smooth,

noiseless and reversible continuous force over their entire stroke, the same as conventional air
pistons, but powered by clean electricity.

Principle of Operation
ElectroPistons use electro-magnetism to obtain the
motive force. Especially configured electrical coils
in the block react against magnets embedded in the
rod to achieve powered motion. There is no contact
between the coils and the rod passing through them.
The force remains constant throughout the stroke
-unlike solenoids.

The greater the supplied current, the greater the push/pull force available. It is therefore easy
to obtain precisely the force(s) required in either direction by simply setting the corresponding
currents.

Using proprietary bearings to guide the running components, they are designed for continuous
operation, and have been life tested for over 100,000,000 cycles, equivalent when correctly
installed to continuous operation at a rate of one stroke per second over a sixteen hour shift, five
days per week for seven years.

www.directthrust.co.uk 0044 (0)1702 614901

Key Advantages
General:
Elimination of compressed air:
Because ElectroPistons are electrically powered, the need for compressed air is eliminated. No
more compressors, air supply lines, pressure regulators, de-humidifiers and statutory safety
check inspections. ElectroPistons only cost a fraction, both in installation and operation, of a full
pneumatic setup and are more energy efficient.
Quick to setup:
As well as high reliability and virtually silent in operation, they transform production environments.
Automation Specific:
Precisely controllable
Thrust can be adjusted exactly to suit the application.
Improved speed of operation
Depending on the mass of the
component to be positioned,
end to end movements can be
reduced to a fraction of a second,
even down to 6 - 16 cycles or more
per second in continuous operation
mode.
Only uses electricity when operating
ElectroPistons are inherently green; they only use
power when they are operating.
Unlike pneumatics, there is also no thrust or time
drop off regardless of the number of units connected.
Virtually silent
Considerable improvements to health and the production
environment.
Clean and Economic
ElectroPistons are inherently clean, no oil required and
certainly no compressors.

Applications
The number of applications for ElectroPistons is virtually limitless, some major examples are:

Assembly Lines
Positioning components on / off fast moving production lines / conveyor belts
Medical Industry
Inserting / positioning components. Operation of levers, ports and gates.
Food Industry
Packing, crimping, slicing operations, Vibrating ( shaking), code stamping.
Security / Safety
Operation of safety locks, gates and clamps.
Electronics Industry
Component insertion and assembly, crimp operation, circuit board population.
Machinery
Interlocks push / pull interaction, component testing, positioning.
Automotive
Valve operating, actuators, lock operation, selection levers, component testing
(especially at - 80)

0044 (0)1702 614901 www.directthrust.co.uk

Product Range
The patented ElectroPiston product range has been
designed to meet the needs of automation requirements
varying from modest thrusts of 1 kgf or less up to
significant thrusts of 28 kgf+. There are three ranges
available, Mini, General Purpose and Heavy Duty. Each
of these comes in single or double block formats. For full
product and performance data please visit our website
http://www.directthrust.co.uk/downloads.html
EP type W H H1 H2 L1 L2 T
EP-M-S-01/26 93 21 40 56 54 139 26
EP-M-ES-01/50 93 21 40 56 104 213 50
EP-M-D-01/26 93 21 40 56 104 189 26
EP-M-LT-01/100 93 21 40 56 153 312 100
EP-GP-S-01/38 140 30 58.5 74.5 76 195 38
EP-GP-ES-01/65 140 30 58.5 74.5 132 278 65
EP-GP-D-01/38 140 30 58.5 74.5 148 267 38
EP-GP-LT-01/130 140 30 58.5 74.5 194 405 130
EP-HD-S-01/50 178 43 76 92 112 264 50
EP-HD-ES-01/85 178 43 76 92 171 358 85

Performance Data: EP-HD-D-01/50 178

EP-HD-LT-01/170 178
43
43
76
76
92
92
219
254
373
526
50
170

Range Code Stroke: Single Block Double Block Long Travel Thrust (N) kgf lbf
Mini EP-M-S-01/26 26.0mm ----- ----- to 16N 1.6 3.6
Mini EP-M-ES-01/50 50.0mm ----- ----- to 13N 1.3 2.9
Mini EP-M-D-01/26 ----- 26.0mm ----- to 31N 3.2 7
Mini EP-M-LT-01/100 ----- ----- 100.0mm to 17N 1.7 3.8
General Purpose EP-GP-S-01/38 38.0mm ----- ----- to 51N 5.2 11.5
General Purpose EP-GP-ES-01/65 65.0mm ----- ----- to 47N 4.8 10.6
General Purpose EP-GP-D-01/38 ----- 38.0mm ----- to 102N 10.4 22.9
General Purpose EP-GP-LT-01/130 ----- ----- 130.0mm to 57N 5.8 12.9
Heavy Duty EP-HD-S-01/50 50.0mm ----- ----- to 141N 14.4 31.7
Heavy Duty EP-HD-ES-01/85 85.0mm ----- ----- to 147N 15 33
Heavy Duty EP-HD-D-01/50 ----- 50.0mm ----- to 282N 28.8 63.4
Heavy Duty EP-HD-LT-01/170 ----- ----- 170.0mm to 147N 15 33

ElectroPiston Control Unit

The ElectroPiston Control Unit is available for users who
wish to control, eg by a plc, the to and fro motion of an
ElectroPison by 0-5 volt digital signals, as well as the force by
a simple 0-5v analogue signal. The Unit may be powered by
any dc voltage from 12 to 36 volts, and will supply all pistons
across the ranges available. The supply dc current required
depends on the selected piston, please refer to website.

Further Information
Further information on the ElectroPistons, including ordering codes and guidance on product
selection procedure, is given in data sheets at http://www.directthrust.co.uk/downloads.html
Direct Thrust will be pleased to provide telephone advice on any application.

www.directthrust.co.uk 0044 (0)1702 614901