Electric Actuators
SMC electric actuators replace pneumatic cylinders with motor-driven precision - delivering programmable multi-position control, force feedback, energy savings, and elimination of compressed air consumption in a direct drop-in form factor. As an authorized SMC Corporation of America distributor, Automation Distribution stocks over 12,000 SMC electric actuator SKUs covering rod type, slider, high-rigidity slide table, rotary table, electric gripper, and EQ integrated controller series, along with the full JXC controller and cable lineup. Our application engineering team supports pneumatic-to-electric conversion projects from single-axis replacements to multi-axis machine cells.
Why upgrade from pneumatic cylinders to SMC electric actuators?
Pneumatic cylinders excel at simple two-position push/pull motion — but they have fundamental limitations that electric actuators eliminate. A pneumatic cylinder can only stop reliably at its physical end stops. An SMC electric actuator can stop at up to 64 programmable positions within the same stroke, hold intermediate positions under load, apply precisely controlled push force for press-fit and part-seating operations, and provide real-time position and force feedback to the PLC. Compressed air generation is energy-intensive; SMC's EQ series integrated controller actuators are rated for up to 60% CO₂ reduction versus equivalent pneumatic circuits. For machine designs where positioning accuracy, process repeatability, or energy consumption are specifications — not afterthoughts — electric actuation is the engineering-correct choice.
SMC electric actuator series
Rod Type Electric Actuators — LEY / LEYG series
The SMC LEY is the core rod type electric actuator — a direct functional replacement for a pneumatic cylinder in applications requiring linear push/pull with multi-position control. The LEY uses a ball screw driven by a 24VDC step motor or AC servo motor (100W, 200W, 400W, 750W options), with a piston rod extending and retracting along the axis. Positioning repeatability is ±0.02mm. The LEY is IP65 rated (dust-tight and water-jet proof) and supports up to 64 programmable step positions via the JXC controller. Pushing control mode allows the rod to hold a set force against a workpiece — enabling press-fit, clamping, and part-seating functions that a pneumatic cylinder cannot perform without a dedicated force regulator and sensor.
The LEYG is the guided rod variant, adding two parallel guide rods alongside the drive rod to resist lateral loads and maintain precise angular orientation of the rod end — eliminating the need for a separate external guide in applications with off-axis or moment loading. The EQYG (EQ series guided rod) adds an integrated controller directly to the LEYG body, simplifying wiring to M12 connectors and eliminating a separate controller enclosure.
LEY/LEYG bore sizes: ø16, ø25, ø32, ø40, ø63
Maximum stroke: 500mm (step motor); 800mm (AC servo)
Maximum push force: up to 1,910N (LEY63)
Maximum speed: 400 mm/s (AC servo, 5,000 mm/s² acceleration)
Slider (Linear Slide) Actuators — LEF / LEFB / LEJS series
Slider type electric actuators mount a carriage on a linear rail driven by either a ball screw or timing belt — providing horizontal linear motion with high rigidity against vertical and lateral loads on the carriage. The SMC LEF series features a low-profile body (46mm height at LEF16) with a seal band standard to protect the ball screw and guide rail from contamination. The main body can be mounted without removing external covers, and when ordered with a controller, initial actuator data is preset at the factory for fast commissioning in "easy mode."
The LEFB uses a timing belt drive for applications requiring longer stroke or higher speed where ball screw deflection would be a concern. The LEJS is SMC's high-rigidity slider with maximum acceleration/deceleration of 20,000 mm/s² — suited for high-cycle pick-and-place and fast transfer applications. The LEJSH is the high-precision variant, improving positioning repeatability to ±0.01mm and significantly increasing vertical work load capacity versus the standard LEJS. Clean room (vacuum suction type) specifications are available on both LEJS and LEFB for semiconductor and medical device environments.
Rotary Table Electric Actuators — LER series
The SMC LER is an electric rotary table actuator providing programmable rotation of a work-holding table above a compact motor and drive enclosure. Three table sizes are available, each with a standard and high-torque variation. Rotation angle is selectable: 90°, 180°, 320° (310° for LER10), or continuously rotating — enabling index table, flip, orient, and transfer operations in a single unit. Maximum speed is 420°/sec with maximum acceleration of 3,000°/sec². Up to 64 programmable rotation positions via JXC controller. Automatic 40% power reduction engages after the table stops, reducing heat and energy consumption in high-duty-cycle applications.
Miniature Electric Actuators — LEPY / LEPS series
SMC's miniature electric actuator series provides compact electric linear motion for small-payload, space-constrained applications where standard LEY bore sizes are oversized. The LEPY and LEPS series deliver programmable positioning in a minimal envelope suited for precision assembly, testing fixtures, and laboratory automation where payload weights are low and envelope constraints are tight.
Electric Grippers — LEH series (LEHZ, LEHZJ, LEHF, LEHS)
SMC electric grippers provide programmable grip force and finger position in a compact form factor competitive with pneumatic parallel grippers. The LEHZ, LEHZJ, and LEHF are 2-finger grippers suited for parts handling across a wide range of part geometries. The LEHS is a 3-finger gripper for cylindrical or irregularly shaped parts requiring symmetric gripping from three contact points. Grip force is maintained when the controller is stopped or power is interrupted — the gripper holds the part without continuous power. Parts can be manually released by hand when required. Options include dust covers, low-profile fingers, and long-stroke variants. The LEH series is JXC1 and JXC3 controller compatible.
Cables — JX series
SMC JX series cables connect electric actuators to their JXC or EQ series controllers. Three cable types are required for a complete actuator-to-controller connection: power supply cables (JX-CDA / JX-CDS), I/O cables (JX-CIA / JX-CIS), and connection cables (JX-CQ / JX-CQC). Available in 1m, 3m, and 10m lengths. Always specify cable length when ordering actuator-controller sets — cables are ordered separately from both the actuator and the controller. Standard cables are not flexible-rated; specify robotic cable (R suffix) for applications with continuous cable flex.
EQ series — integrated controller electric actuators
The SMC EQ series integrates the motor controller directly into the actuator body, eliminating the separate JXC controller enclosure and associated wiring runs. EQ actuators use high-performance motors with battery-less absolute encoders — providing position data immediately at power-on without a homing routine. This is a significant commissioning and restart advantage in applications that experience frequent power cycling or E-stop events.
EQ controllers offer a 2-position solenoid mode that mimics pneumatic cylinder logic: one signal extends the actuator fully, another signal retracts it. A closed-center intermediate position mode adds a third stop. This makes EQ actuators a true drop-in pneumatic replacement for engineers who want the energy and precision benefits of electric actuation without rewriting multi-step positioning programs. M12 metal cable connectors and three integrated communication LEDs simplify panel wiring and status diagnostics. Motor control optimization delivers up to 60% CO₂ reduction versus equivalent pneumatic cylinder circuits.
The EQYG32 (guided rod type, ø32, available in our stocked lineup) covers strokes from 30mm to 300mm at $1,045–$1,580 depending on stroke and configuration — a complete, wired-and-ready electric actuator system without separate controller procurement.
JXC controller guide — matching the right controller to your application
LECP1 — Program-less, 2-position PNP: The simplest controller configuration. No programming required — the two-position operation (extend/retract) is set by physical adjustment. Suited for direct pneumatic cylinder replacement where only two positions are needed and no PLC step data interface is required.
LECP2 — Program-less with stroke study: Adds automatic stroke detection. The controller learns the actuator's physical stroke limits during a setup routine, then provides two-position control without manual parameter entry. NPN and PNP versions available.
LECA6 — Step data input, AC servo: The servo motor controller for LEY/LEF/LES series with AC servo motors (100W–750W). Accepts step data inputs for up to 64 programmable positions. NPN and PNP versions.
LECPA — Pulse input type: For servo motor actuators driven by external pulse train from a motion controller or servo drive. Used in coordinated multi-axis applications where the PLC or motion controller generates position commands directly rather than using step data tables.
JXC1 / JXC3 — Step data input, step motor: The standard controller for 24VDC step motor actuators (LEY, LEYG, LEF, LEFB, LEJS, LES, LEH, LER). JXC1 controls a single axis; JXC3 controls three axes from one unit. Up to 64 step positions, speed, acceleration/deceleration, pushing force, and position zone outputs are programmable per step.
JXD1-M — 4-axis manifold controller: Detects connected actuator type, size, and stroke automatically upon connection, eliminating manual parameter entry. Controls up to four independent axes from one compact controller body. All connections (power, actuator, I/O) are front-facing for easy access. Ordered with actuators separately.
Pneumatic-to-electric conversion: how to evaluate your application
Not every pneumatic cylinder is a good conversion candidate — and some are straightforward replacements. Use these decision criteria to prioritize conversion opportunities on your machine or line:
Convert first: applications requiring intermediate stopping positions, programmable push force, position feedback, reduced air consumption targets, clean room or oil-free environments, or high-cycle applications where air system energy cost is measurable.
Pneumatic remains valid: simple two-position end-to-end motion at very high speeds (>500mm/s), very large bore (>63mm equivalent), applications where compressed air is already the energy carrier and installation cost is the constraint, and food/wash-down environments where IP69K rating is required (LEY is IP65).
Start with the LEY or LEYG: for rod-type pneumatic cylinder replacement. Match bore size to required thrust force, match stroke, confirm IP65 is adequate for the environment, and select JXC1 for step motor or LECPA/LECA6 for servo motor depending on speed and force requirements. Contact our application engineering team at 1-888-600-3080 for sizing assistance.