In terms of technical performance, the advantages of pneumatic actuators mainly include the following four aspects:

(1) Large load, can adapt to the application of high torque output.

(2) Quick action and quick response.

(3) Good adaptability in working environment, especially in flammable, explosive, dust, strong magnetic, radiation and vibration and other harsh working environment, more superior than hydraulic, electronic, electrical control.

(4) The motor is easily damaged when the stroke is blocked or the valve stem is tied.

The advantages of the electric actuator mainly include:

(1) Compact structure, compact volume. Compared with pneumatic actuators, electric actuators are relatively simple in structure. A basic electronic system includes actuators, three-position DPDT switches, fuses and some wires, which are easy to assemble.

(2) The driving source of the electric actuator is very flexible. Generally, the on-board power supply can meet the needs, while the pneumatic actuator needs an air source and a compression driving device.

(3) The electric actuator has no danger of "air leakage" and high reliability, while the compressibility of the air makes the stability of the pneumatic actuator slightly worse.

(4) It is not necessary to install and maintain various pneumatic pipelines.

(5) The load can be maintained without power, while the pneumatic actuator needs continuous pressure supply.

(6) Because there is no need for additional pressure devices, the electric actuator is quieter. Usually, if the pneumatic actuator is under heavy load, a silencer should be installed.

(7) In pneumatic devices, electrical signals usually need to be converted into gas signals, and then into electrical signals. The transmission speed is slow, and it is not suitable for complex circuits with too many component stages.

(8) The electric actuator is superior in the precision of control.

In fact, pneumatic and electric systems are not mutually exclusive. Pneumatic actuators can simply achieve fast linear cycle movement, simple structure, convenient maintenance, and can be used in a variety of harsh working environments, such as explosion-proof requirements, dust or humid conditions. But electric actuators with servomotors have an advantage when the force is rapidly increasing and positioning is required. For applications requiring, synchronous, adjustable, and prescribed positioning programming, electric drives are a good choice. An electric drive system consisting of a servo or stepper motor with a closed-loop positioning controller can complement a pneumatic system.

Modern control system is more and more complex, more and more fine, not a kind of drive control technology can meet the system's various control functions. Electric actuators are mainly used for need precise control applications, flexible request in the automation equipment, the same equipment are required to meet the need of machining of different sizes, actuators multipoint positioning control is required, but also to the speed and torque control of the actuator or synchronous tracking, the use of traditional pneumatic control could not be achieved, And the electric actuator can easily achieve such control. It can be seen that the pneumatic actuator is more suitable for simple motion control, while the electric actuator is more used for precision motion control.