In actuators for shutters of high-power, high-energy light source devices such as lasers, both high-speed responsiveness and a fail-safe mechanism that operates when the power is off are required. In this column, we would like to introduce the RSR28/17 Series rotary solenoid with a return spring, which is ideally suited for high-speed fail-safe design of light sources.
High-power lasers can cause serious damage to the human body and equipment. Since electrically interrupting the beam does not always guarantee complete interruption, physical shuttering is critically important as the final line of defense.
By instantly blocking light with a shutter when an interlock is triggered—such as when a door is opened—the system prevents damage from malfunctions or runaways. The rapid-response shading system, linked to the emergency stop, ensures the overall safety of the equipment.
The output of a light source tends to be unstable during startup. By blocking the unstable light with a shutter and irradiating the target only after the output has stabilized, you can maintain consistent processing and measurement quality.。
Since a return spring is built into the unit, if the solenoid loses power due to an outage, it automatically returns to its initial (light-blocking) position by spring force. Because it can be controlled simply by switching the power on and off, a reliable fail-safe design is achieved without the need for a complex control circuit.
Under an operating angle of 45°, we standard-guarantee a response time of 25 ms or less for both energized actuation and spring-return actuation when de-energized, making it ideal for applications that demand immediate light blocking where even the slightest delay cannot be tolerated in emergencies.
You can choose an operating angle suited to your equipment layout from three types—25°, 35°, or 45°. You can also specify clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) rotation. Simply mount a disc or shutter plate on the shaft and it can be immediately integrated as a light-blocking shutter.
Please feel free to contact us for custom options with the shutter plate pre-installed.
We compared the solenoid method and the motor method based on the main evaluation criteria for light-shielding shutter applications.
| Solenoid system | Motor system | |
|---|---|---|
| Response time | Extremely fast (tens of ms) | Slow (hundreds of ms) |
| Fail-safe | Easily self-returns with a built-in spring. | A separate spring is required. |
| Control mechanism | Simple (ON / OFF only) |
Slightly complicated (driver required) |
| Position control | Between two points (opening/closing only) |
Arbitrary position and velocity control is possible. |
| Vibration and shock | Large (with stopper collision) |
Operates smoothly and compactly. |
| Optimal use | Safety shutoff and high-speed shutter | Low Vibration and Precise Angle Adjustment |
For safety shutter applications where rapid cutoff and fail-safe functionality are paramount, solenoid systems offer a significant advantage due to their quick response and self-reset mechanisms. Conversely, motor-driven systems are better suited to applications demanding precise angle control and low vibration.
The RSR28/17 series rotary solenoids with return springs are actuators that achieve reliable self-return with built-in springs and a fast response time of 25 ms or less. They can be used as fail-safe shutters that meet safety standards easily, without the need to build complex control circuits. If you are looking for an actuator for safety shutters, we invite you to consider this product.
