Correlation Analysis Between Noise Level and Product Quality of Electric Actuators

There is a strong correlation between the noise level of electric actuators and product quality, but it does not follow the absolute rule that "the quieter the actuator, the better the quality". The core logic is as follows: high-quality actuators exhibit noise characteristics of "stable controllability and clear source"; in contrast, the noise of low-quality actuators is often accompanied by problems such as abnormal vibration and component wear, which are direct signals of product performance degradation and can serve as key warning indicators for quality judgment.

The operating noise of actuators can be divided into two categories: normal inherent noise and abnormal fault noise. Among them, only abnormal noise is the core judgment basis for quality degradation. The following is a differentiated analysis of high-quality and low-quality actuators from the perspective of noise characteristics, combined with product design, craftsmanship, and full-life-cycle performance:

The normal operating noise of high-quality actuators originates from inherent design sources such as motor electromagnetic vibration, gearbox meshing transmission, and lead screw mechanical friction. Its core feature is "low and stable", and the noise level is highly matched with design parameters. The specific performance is as follows:

1. Basic noise is determined by processing precision: High-precision gears adopting gear grinding technology, ball screws (compared with trapezoidal screws), and high-grade bearings, combined with strict assembly tolerance control, can significantly reduce friction noise during meshing and transmission, laying a foundation for low noise;
2. Active noise reduction design reflects R&D and quality control capabilities: Through targeted designs such as motor shock absorption pads, gearbox sound insulation covers, lead screw long-term lubrication systems, and electromagnetic shielding, active noise control is achieved. The conventional operating noise is usually stably maintained at 45~60dB (equivalent to office environment volume) without sharp abnormal sounds;
3. Strong noise stability throughout the full life cycle: Under rated operating conditions (e.g., 100,000 action cycles), the noise level does not increase suddenly, but only shows a slow attenuation trend with normal wear, and has a clear noise attenuation curve, making performance degradation predictable and controllable.

The core feature of noise in low-quality actuators is "high and disordered", and noise anomalies are directly associated with performance degradation. The specific performance is as follows:

1. Fault abnormal sounds are directly linked to failure: "Impact sounds" caused by gear tooth breakage, "abnormal humming" triggered by bearing damage, "rattling sounds" due to loose components, etc., are all direct signals of failure of core actuator components, which are prone to causing equipment shutdown and significantly increasing maintenance costs and production interruption risks in industrial scenarios;
2. Lack of craftsmanship and quality control leads to noise uncontrollability: Due to insufficient processing precision of core components such as gears and lead screws, excessive assembly tolerances, and defects in lubrication system design, the inherent operating noise itself is at a high level, and there are no effective noise reduction measures, resulting in large and irregular noise fluctuations during operation.

To pursue the appearance of "quietness", some manufacturers adopt unreasonable means such as reducing motor power and increasing transmission resistance to forcibly suppress noise. Although short-term noise reduction can be achieved, this will lead to degradation of core actuator performance: insufficient output torque, slow response speed, and severe heat generation. In industrial heavy-load scenarios (such as valve switching), it is more likely to be damaged due to overload or overheating.

Essentially, the design logic of high-quality actuators is "to minimize noise on the premise of ensuring that core performance indicators such as rated torque, adjustment precision, and response speed meet standards". When judging actuator quality, it is necessary to avoid the "only quietness theory" and focus on verifying the matching between quiet performance and core performance—quietness is only a bonus item, and meeting core performance standards is the fundamental guarantee of quality.

The noise level of electric actuators is an important reference dimension for evaluating product quality, but it cannot be used as the sole judgment standard. Combined with the actual needs of industrial scenarios, the core characteristics of high-quality actuators can be summarized as follows: low and stable operating noise without abnormal sounds; small noise variation range during full-life-cycle cycles and harsh working conditions (such as high temperature, high humidity, and dusty environments); and noise control measures do not sacrifice core performance, enabling continuous satisfaction of the stable operation needs of industrial production.