Making a Reliable Actuator Faster and More Affordable

About this technology

Overview

NASA's Stennis Space Center provides testing of Space Shuttle main engines, rocket propulsion systems, and related components with several test facilities. NASA has been seeking ways to lower the cost of maintaining the facilities, and has aided in the development of an improved linear actuator that arrives onsite quickly and costs less money than other actuators. The actuator was developed as part of a Dual-Use Cooperative Agreement between BAFCO, Inc., and Stennis Space Center. In partnership with BAFCO, the existing commercial product's size and weight were reworked, and cost and delivery time were reduced, while the actuator was made more reliable. The BAFCO Model 773 is a next-generation, high-thrust, high-response actuator designed to meet performance standards in aerospace, industrial, and petrochemical applications. The actuators are adaptable for use in a variety of industrial applications, including steam turbines, process-control valves, dampers, for motion control, and a variety of other mechanical purposes.