|

Beckhoff Extends Electric Cylinder Lineup

The energy-efficient AA3100 series replaces hydraulic and pneumatic actuators with a space-saving, cost-effective and sustainable solution

September 14, 2023

Beckhoff Extends Electric Cylinder Lineup

Beckhoff is adding more devices to its scalable AA3000 electric cylinder series to extend the significant advantages in total cost of ownership, footprint, energy efficiency and sustainability to more applications. The new AA3100 devices offer the necessary force, dynamics and compactness needed for linear motion applications. However, this direct-drive solution delivers all the advantages of servo technology, including controlled positioning, safe holding at a standstill and high efficiency.

The AA3100 series is designed as a drop-in replacement for hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. These legacy approaches waste excess energy and floorspace required for compressors, while adding costly and complex mechanical components. In the case of pneumatics, they can leak and create messes on the plant floor. To simplify replacement of these devices, the AA3100 devices leverage an ISO 15552 flange size and bolting points on both sides as well as an external thread mount on the shaft end of the spindle to mount ball heads, clamping hooks or other common adapters.

There are two variants each for the first products in the series, the AA3123 and AA3133 electric cylinders:

AA3123
  • 5,300 N peak force, 1,300 N continuous force and 0.28 m/s maximum speed.
  • 2,650 N peak force, 650 N continuous force and 0.56 m/s maximum speed.
AA3133
  • 12,500 N peak force, 2,800 N continuous force and 0.12 m/s maximum speed.
  • 6,000 N peak force, 1,400 N continuous force and 0.24 m/s maximum speed.
Like their predecessors in the AA3000 series, the new AA3100 devices offer the compelling benefits expected from Beckhoff electric cylinders:
  • Integrated mechanism: The devices feature precise roller bearings, ball screw and guide to provide backlash-free, purely translatory motion.
  • Ultra-fast commissioning: a safe 24-bit multiturn encoder with high resolution, One Cable Technology (OCT) and an electronic identification plate all make startup go faster. 
  • Simplified data access: TwinCAT 3 automation software automatically configures position travel limits and known position offset for the encoder after reading in the device’s electronic nameplate. 
  • Significant customizability: A range of spindle pitches and a backlash-free holding brake are available to help meet the unique requirements of any application.

More Information

AA3100 Electric Cylinders

Related Story

Beckhoff Vision Awarded Two Product Design Prizes

Beckhoff Vision now includes a complete hardware portfolio in addition to the TwinCAT Vision software solution that was introduced in 2017. From the very beginning, its development was oriented around an optimal design and concepts for industrial use. The expert jury for the renowned Red Dot Award recently confirmed that these goals have been successfully achieved as they honored Beckhoff with an award in the automation category. This prize is only awarded to products that have an excellent design. This was further confirmed with the iF Design Award Gold, the highest distinction in this competition.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • How Schneider Electric Canada is Driving Industries into the Future 

    September 17, 2025 By Krystie Johnston  Automation, digitalization, IIoT, and AI. Data. Cybersecurity. Sustainability. These are some of the biggest trends in automation that are affecting industries in Canada today and are bound to shape their future, along with such imperatives as labour shortages, and reshoring. Schneider Electric is a leader in technology and was… Read More…

  • Why Stop at Efficiency? Build EtherCAT Networks for Maximum Reliability

    September 17, 2025 In the race toward smarter, more automated industrial operations, every microsecond counts. In response to rising demands for higher precision, speed, and synchronization across industries like robotics, packaging, and semiconductors, EtherCAT has become the standard for high-performance motion control. Its unique “on-the-fly” processing principle delivers deterministic, high-speed communication that traditional industrial Ethernet… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • POSITAL Precision Magnetic Encoders – Now Available with BiSS C Communications Interface

    September 17, 2025 POSITAL’s new generation of IXARC magnetic absolute rotary encoders are now available with BiSS C communications interfaces. Encoders with this interface are ideal for commutation and position feedback in BLDC servo motors. Moreover, their excellent performance characteristics, compact size (36 mm diameter, 32 mm high), and low energy requirements make these IXARC… Read More…

  • Power Supply for Panel Mounting Now Also with Push-in Connection

    September 17, 2025 The Trio Power power supplies for panel mounting with an output of up to 2.5 kW now feature Push-in connection. The devices with an output voltage of 24 or 48 V DC are characterized by their high power density and efficiency in a compact design. The new power supplies for panel mounting now feature Push-in connection… Read More…