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Fully Integrated ORCA™ Series Linear Actuators
ORCA motors offer an all-in-one, high-performance solution with force and position control. Featuring a robust, low-maintenance design ideal for diverse applications. Unlock effortless motion control with the analog and digital signal provider, the IO SmartHub.
Our Portfolio of All-In-One, Fast, Quiet, Waterproof, Linear Actuators
.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=ORCA%20Renders%20-%20ORCA%20WebPage%20(2).png "ORCA-3-12V affordable and highest speed linear motor")
| ORCA-3-12V Affordable & Highest Speed |
|
| Max Force |
182 N 40.8 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 33 N 7 lbf |
| Max Speed |
6.5 m/s 256 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±1.0 N 0.22 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±250 μm ±0.0098 in |
| Stator Length | 89 mm 3.5 in |
| Shaft Length | 9 in |
| Usable Stroke | 89 mm 3.5 in |
| View All Specifications | |
.png "ORCA-3-36V affordable and high speed linear motor")
| ORCA-3-36V Affordable & High Speed |
|
| Max Force |
281 N 63.1 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 34 N 8 lbf |
| Max Speed |
4.2 m/s 165 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±1.0 N 0.22 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±250 μm ±0.0098 in |
| Stator Length | 89 mm 3.5 in |
| Shaft Length | 9 in |
| Usable Stroke | 89 mm 3.5 in |
| View All Specifications | |
| ORCA-6-LITE Cost-Effective |
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| Max Force |
246 N 97.5 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 73 N 16 lbf |
| Max Speed |
1.3 m/s 51 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±0.74 N 0.17 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±150 μm ±0.0059 in |
| Stator Length | 175.4 mm 6.91 in |
| Shaft Length | 15 in |
| Usable Stroke | 129 mm 5.1 in |
| View All Specifications | |
| ORCA-6-24V Versatile |
|
| Max Force |
426 N 95.7 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 75 N 17 lbf |
| Max Speed |
3.8 m/s 148 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±0.57 N 0.13 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±150 μm ±0.0059 in |
| Stator Length | 175.4 mm 6.91 in |
| Shaft Length | 15 in |
| Usable Stroke | 129 mm 5.1 in |
| View All Specifications | |
| ORCA-6-48V High Force |
|
| Max Force |
638 N 143.5 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 75 N 17 lbf |
| Max Speed |
2.5 m/s 99 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±0.64 N 0.14 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±150 μm ±0.0059 in |
| Stator Length | 175.4 mm 6.91 in |
| Shaft Length | 15 in |
| Usable Stroke | 129 mm 5.1 in |
| View All Specifications | |
.png "ORCA-15-48V highest force linear motor")
| ORCA-15-48V Highest Force |
|
| Max Force |
1061 N 238 lbf |
| Min Continuous Force | 14 N 39 lbf |
| Max Speed |
1.5 m/s 60 in/s |
| Force Accuracy |
±0.94 N 0.22 lbf |
| Position Accuracy |
±150 μm ±0.0059 in |
| Stator Length | 404 mm 15.91 in |
| Shaft Length | 30 in |
| Usable Stroke | 282 mm 11.11 in |
| View All Specifications | |
Technical Resources
Fully Integrated
Our electric linear actuators include integrated power delivery, four-phase motor drivers, logic, and a suite of sensors. The benefit of this approach is two-fold:
Firstly, all components are calibrated at the time of manufacturing which increases performance and simplifies integration into your existing infrastructure. Secondly, removing the need to install several separate components and ensure they are all configured to interact with each other correctly dramatically reduces installation overhead. Integrated sensing includes force, position, and temperature.
Force Control
Traditional motors are position or velocity controlled. This means their logic controllers deliver commands to move to a specific position or at a specific velocity. Our motors are inherently force controlled which means they can feel the force they are imparting. This is a critical safety feature in applications where that force is imparted upon a person as our motor will know when it encounters an object and can back off or apply lower force.
Silent
With the quietest motors on the market, we facilitate easier integration into environments that people share. Lower noise levels in industrial settings are safer and less fatiguing for humans. Simulation and entertainment applications benefit from deeper immersion with no need for the implementation of music or sound effects to cover the noise of the motors.
Integrated Kinematic Control
ORCA Series motors are equipped with a kinematic controller that allows motion profiles to be saved directly to the motor. These profiles allow movement to a shaft position over a specified period of time. Kinematic motions can be triggered using software or by a hardware trigger, such as a button or signal. Up to 32 motions can be saved to a single ORCA Series motor.
Low Latency
On-board advanced microprocessors and integrated sensing allow for sub-millisecond control loop times. This is a critical feature in virtual reality (VR) applications such as simulation as slower control loop timing leads to nausea in riders.
High Performance Four-Phase
Iris Dynamics’ unique four phase motor geometry, combined with our proprietary software, allows our motors to generate linear force throughout the entire stroke without any of the cogging or grain that plagues other motors. All our motors are fully back driveable. Our onboard sensing and feed forward control algorithms allow the motors to move with very high levels of precision in position and velocity.
Force Feedback
High Speeds Up to 6.5 m/s
IP68+ Rating
Max Forces Up to 1,000 N
Backdrivable Motors
Silent Operation
ORCA Series Smart Linear Motors FAQ
What is a smart linear motor?
Iris Dynamics' smart linear motors integrate drivers, controllers, and sensors. They also feature simplified wiring and mechanical mounting points. This design makes traditionally challenging tasks—such as retrofitting pneumatic cylinders, remotely linking controls, and collecting and managing force and motion data—much simpler.
ORCA Smart Linear Motors utilize patented cog-less magnetic construction, giving customers a significant advantage in both time to market and machine performance with every use of the ORCA motors.
Can I customize my ORCA motor from a scripting standpoint?
Yes, ORCA motors can be customized through scripting, supported by various programming and scripting interfaces, including MATLAB, LabVIEW, and custom software via Modbus RTU. The IrisSDK for Windows offers an API written in C++ to simplify Modbus communications, facilitating integration with custom-developed applications. This allows you to script and automate motor control, position targeting, force control, and more
What is kinematic mode VS position mode?
Position mode with the IO SmartHub allows streaming positions through an analog signal, allowing full customization of position profiles. Kinematic mode, a built-in feature, allows the simple creation of motion profiles directly on the motor itself. These motion profiles typically follow sinusoidal paths to connect positions. Essentially, kinematic profiles can be triggered with digital signals, and position mode is through analog signals.
Do you offer shaft customization?
Yes, the shaft length of the ORCA motors can be customized. You can specify the shaft length anywhere from 10 to 40 inches in whole-inch increments. This customization allows you to tailor the shaft length to your specific application’s needs.
What is the life expectancy of an ORCA Motor?
ORCA motors are designed and built to last the lifespan of most applications, the only life-limited components in ORCA motors are their bushings. The plastic bushings are located on either end of the stator and can attain over 50 million cycles when operating under very low side loads. We have compiled a comprehensive guide on full bushing life cycle analysis to help you easily identify when a replacement is necessary.
Do you offer SDK for Linux?
Standard Modbus libraries can be used to communicate with motors through various coding or program platforms. The USB<>422 cables included in the starter kit have Linux support. As for sending and receiving communication over the USB cable, refer to our ORCA Series Modbus User Guide.
How silent are ORCA Motors?
ORCA motors are as silent as 20 dB, which is comparable to the noise level of a whisper. The motor may exceed 20 dB at the inaudible frequency of 24 kHz due to motor switching noises. This will be picked up by microphones as a sharp spike in sound at 24 kHz, but the spectrum is very narrow.
What is meant by voltage being included in the part number?
The voltage indicated in the part name/number represents the general voltage at which the maximum stall force is available. Essentially, the 48 V specification requires a higher voltage to achieve the maximum stall force, allowing for greater stall forces. This voltage serves as the recommended range for the motor.
What type of power supply is recommended?
Any power supply with adequate power and no over-voltage protection can be used to power ORCA motors. To determine the minimum power required, an assessment of the necessary forces in relation to the motor constant is needed. For a comprehensive guide, refer to our article on selecting the right power supply for your linear actuator.
READ MORE: How To Select the Right Power Supply For Your Linear Actuator
Do ORCA motors require specialized software?
The motor has fully integrated control, and technically everything can be set over Modbus without ever using another program. Iris Dynamics offers a windows program called “Iris Controls” which provides a GUI for configuring the motor.
What are the benefits of moving the supplied power from 24V to 60V for the ORCA-6-24V?
Increasing the voltage reduces the current required to achieve the same force, while the maximum force remains unchanged. The primary benefit of switching from 24 V to 60 V is the increase in maximum speed, although other factors remain similar. For more details, please refer to the datasheet sections 'ORCA-6-24V Force, Power, and Speed' and 'ORCA-6-48V Force, Power, and Speed' for information on the impact of the 48 V configuration.
