Increases comfort and efficiency of patient beds and operating tables

The electromechanical Ewellix linear actuator EMA-80M now complements Schaeffler's product range for imaging and operating rooms. Designed specifically for height-adjustable patient couches and treatment tables, this new development underscores the Motion Technology Company's commitment to being the preferred technology partner for its customers in the medical technology sector.

For Schaeffler, medical technology is a key future market characterized by innovation, technological challenges, and growth potential. The company has already significantly expanded its involvement in this sector in recent years, including the addition of modular Ewellix linear actuators to its portfolio. Christian Mangold, Product Manager Medical at Schaeffler, explains: "The new EMA-80M now completes our offering. Virtually all medical devices and imaging applications can now be equipped with rolling bearings, precision guides, rotary drives, lifting columns, and linear actuators from Schaeffler."

For Schaeffler, medical technology is a key future market characterized by innovation, technological challenges, and growth potential. Simplified Patient Table Design

The EMA-80M opens up new design possibilities for manufacturers of patient tables or operating tables for imaging devices such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. Previously, they had electromechanical solutions with forces of up to 12,000 N (Newtons) at their disposal. However, at low approach heights, significantly higher forces are required due to the unfavorable leverage kinematics of scissor lift tables, often necessitating the use of two electromechanical linear actuators or a hydraulic cylinder. The EMA-80M now offers a drive that delivers a maximum compressive or tensile force of 20,000 N. This eliminates the need for parallel linear actuators or a hydraulic cylinder.

The EMA-80M thus provides a compact, energy-efficient, oil-free, and maintenance-free alternative. It significantly simplifies patient table design and reduces overall costs. Thanks to its unique combination of high power density and compact design, the linear actuator offers maximum power where space is limited. Schaeffler engineers have also considered the efficient operation of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners: With speeds of up to 25 mm/s, the desired table heights are reached particularly quickly.

Developed for the demands of medical technology

The new Ewellix linear actuator operates very quietly and smoothly and is available with strokes from 50 to 700 mm. The EMA-80M is consistently designed for durability – with a significantly longer service life compared to previous, commercially available solutions – and meets all requirements according to IEC 60601-1 ed 3.2, in particular the fourfold static overload. Manual emergency operation in the event of a power failure is also possible.

The safety concept also includes the integrated, patent-pending, purely mechanical brake. When the motor is de-energized, it holds the linear actuator, and thus the patient, securely in position. With these integrated additional functions, the complex and expensive adaptation of conventional industrial cylinders is no longer necessary.

Thanks to its compact design, the EMA-80M can be seamlessly integrated into scissor or parallelogram lifting mechanisms and enables particularly low entry heights. A Hall sensor, an optical rotary encoder, and a mechanical absolute encoder are available as position sensors. The sealing system meets IP65M protection standards. Customers can choose between a 48 V DC and a 220 V AC version of the motor, each with a power output of 750 W. A standardized interface also allows customers to use their own motors and controllers.