Swivel Units by Friedemann Wagner – a different construction!

The Wagner Principle: Why Our Rotary Actuators Take a Decisive Technical Step Further

In the world of pneumatic rotary actuators, there are many standard solutions. But standard often means compromises in precision. At Friedemann Wagner, we take a different approach to precise rotary actuators to achieve maximum accuracy and service life. Learn here how the design of our rotary units (SE series) makes your processes safer.

The Subtle Difference in Mechanics

Most rotary actuators on the market use simple rack-and-pinion systems. Without external stops, they strike directly on the rack. These solutions are inexpensive and can be designed compactly. They have critical disadvantages:

they put stress on the actuator
have only half the torque at the end position and
are affected by the mechanical play of the actuator at the end position.

Our approach is based on a high-strength aluminum housing with an external stop integrated into the milled housing. This optimized design relieves the gear teeth on the one hand and ensures that the end position is positioned precisely even after millions of cycles. With full torque at the end position—the most important position in the automation system!

The Graphic in Detail: Our Design Explained

In the following overview, you can see the core components that make our rotary units so unique. Please note the numbers in the graphic:

The external stops of the rotary actuators provide high repeatability and full torque at the end position on the ring surfaces. This relieves the gearbox and makes it irrelevant for accuracy and positioning.
Stop screws for stepless adjustment up to 190° (+/-95° from center position). The setting of the rotation angle and the locking of the stop plate are done on the outside of the rotary actuator. The mounting of the stop screws is part of the high-strength, milled aluminum housing—thus eliminating assembly tolerances of attached stops.
Air and signal pass-throughs are available as options and offer pass-through through the rotating rotary actuators. This creates short paths for supplying the mounted components and avoids torsion.
Patented system for mounting the proximity switch directly in the stop screw. The proximity switch can be set to its switching point by screwing it in, thus allowing the exact acknowledgment of the actual end position (see blog shock absorber failure detection for rotary actuators). By locking it (knurled nut), its position relative to the stop screw is always maintained—a convenience and time-saver during installation.
The racks are equipped with sensor magnets—this allows cost-effective magnetic field sensors to be used alternatively in the C-slots.
All connections and interference edges are located on one side of the rotary actuator. Accessibility during installation/commissioning is significantly easier and more effective.
And: all other sides can be converted, which saves valuable space.
Mounting for hydraulic shock absorbers for high mass moments of inertia up to 64200 kgcm2.
Pitch dimension for a perfectly fitting, backlash-free centering system for mounting without drilling or pinning.

Why Should You Choose This "Different Approach"?

The answer lies in the cost-effectiveness of your overall system:

Higher repeatability: Your end position remains exactly where it should be.
Lower maintenance costs: Due to the design, adjustments / readjustments are possible from the outside.
Longer service life: Thanks to the well-thought-out design, the forces on the stop screws are lower. The overall system is thus additionally relieved.
Third position: can be retrofitted as an intermediate position (ZWP-SE) without any problems as an additional module.

Conclusion: Engineering from the Manufacturer Instead of "Normal"

We build rotary units for designers who are tired of "good enough". Our approach is the answer to the increasing demands for precision and reliability in modern automation.

Flyer "Why Rotary Actuators from Wagner"