Actuator torque is the amount of twisting force an actuator can produce. It determines the range of loads the actuator can handle, with higher torque allowing for a wider range. Torque is also important in tools and vehicles, where it affects performance.
Actuator torque is a quantitative expression of the amount of torque an actuator is capable of producing. Torque is a term used to define the extent to which a driving force twists an object around its axis or pivot point. A good example of this is a high-performance race car that tends to twist or heave to one side when the engine is revved. This reaction is caused by torque from the engine, which, although its force output is used to drive the car along its axis, exerts a rotational motion around the car’s axis. Put simply, the more torque a device can generate, the more power it will be able to exert over a wider range of operating loads.
The straight-line motion experienced when something is pushed is a practical manifestation of force. Torque, on the other hand, is best described as the result of applying a force to a wrench, which causes a bolt to rotate around its axis. The same goes for a screwdriver used to loosen a very stubborn screw. If the screwdriver handle is well designed and does not slip in the handyman’s hand, a large amount of torque is generated which is applied to the screw by the force applied to the screwdriver handle. The same principles regarding conditions affecting the ability of similar forces to generate rotational motion also apply to the definition of actuator torque.
Actuator torque is an important part of any actuator rating specification. The torque rating of the device will determine the type of applications the actuator will realistically be able to handle. A low torque value means that the actuator will be able to maintain its output force over a very narrow load range. As soon as this range is exceeded, the actuator will be “choked” and will not be able to continue to exert its working motion efficiently. Conversely, a high torque actuator will be able to comfortably handle a much wider range of load changes.
This concept of actuator torque is perhaps best demonstrated by an automobile approaching a steep hill in top gear. In this gear configuration, the engine is unable to develop much torque, and to efficiently climb hills, a lower gear will need to be selected. The same principle applies to an actuator with internal mechanisms that determine how well the actuator motor translates its latent force into usable torque. High torque values are not always required, so not all actuators develop the same torque outputs even though they may have similar power plants. This makes informed choices essential when selecting devices for applications that require high actuator torque values.
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