OEM Actuator Solutions

OEM Actuator Solutions

OEM Actuator Solutions: Custom Engineering Partner for Valves, Dampers, Filters, and other OEMs

Partnering with OEMs to deliver custom actuator solutions for valves, dampers, and filter systems engineered for precision, reliability, and long-term technical support for over 90 years

Made in America, Built to Last: : All Beck actuators are engineered and manufactured in the United States, fully compliant with Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements.

Introduction

For OEM manufacturers seeking reliable actuator solutions, the actuator often operates behind the scenes—but it’s absolutely critical to a system’s performance. It needs to deliver precise control, seamless integration, and years of reliable operation. But choosing the right actuator goes beyond reviewing statistics about torque specs and stroke lengths. Designers are also dealing with mechanical fit, control system compatibility, and life cycle support, which means that finding an engineering partner that actually understands the challenges is critical.

Beck’s OEM actuator solutions address these challenges through the creation of custom engineering partnerships that deliver valve actuator integration, damper controls, and filter system actuation tailored to each client’s specifications.

Harold Beck & Sons doesn’t just sell actuators—it partners with OEMs. Clients’ engineering teams get direct access to Beck’s technical expertise, enabling custom hardware designs, mounting solutions, and control integration that fits equipment exactly. This collaboration creates tailored actuation solutions.

Read on to learn more about how Beck’s collaborative approach works, the engineering advantages gained by OEM partners, and to peruse answers to some of the technical questions design engineers ask during the specification and integration stages.

Custom Actuator Engineering: Partnership Advantages for OEMs

Tailored Solutions, Not Generic Rebrands

Beck works directly with a client’s team to adapt actuator geometry, mounting configurations, torque output, control interfaces, and other critical aspects to match specific design requirements. And along those lines, because the company is proud of its product line and stands firmly behind its products, it does not produce private-label products.

Full Engineering Transparency

OEM partners receive complete engineering deliverables, including 2D/3D CAD models, interface drawings, control specifications, wiring schematics, and comprehensive test data. Clients maintain full control and visibility throughout the design process.

Life Cycle Collaboration

As a client’s product evolves, Beck evolves its solutions too. This means supporting design upgrades, creating retrofit kits, making component swaps, and engaging in ongoing optimization—even years after initial deployment. Beck’s actuator OEM support evolves too, providing design updates, retrofit kits, and component swaps that maintain compatibility across product generations.

Faster Development Cycles

Direct communication with Beck engineers eliminates the delays and miscommunication common in third-party resale models. Working directly with an actuator supplier and relying on its expertise allow end users to innovate while knowing its supplier is meeting machine design requirements in an optimal way.

Design for Manufacturability Accountability

Beck engineers consider volume production realities, cost targets, manufacturing tolerances, and field serviceability from day one—not as an afterthought.

Key Partnership Advantages

Off-the-shelf mounting solutions rarely fit OEM applications perfectly. Custom actuator engineering eliminates field modifications, reduces assembly time, and ensures proper mechanical installation. Through true partnerships with valve, damper, filter manufacturers, and other OEMs to ensure smooth mechanical and control system integration, Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. offers:

  • Custom mounting hardware, linkages, and accessories available to suit each OEM’s mechanical design
  • Streamlined communication and design support throughout the development process
  • A history of proven success with leading manufacturers
  • Reliable, American-made actuators designed for longevity and accuracy in demanding industrial and utility applications

Leading valve manufacturers such as Mueller, Val-matic, J&S, GA, Dezurik, VSI, and Crispin rely on Beck’s valve actuator integration expertise. Damper OEM partners, including Mader, Clarage, Effox, and Fox, trust Beck’s custom actuator engineering for precise damper and fan control. And filter system manufacturers such as Kubota, Pure Flow, Aqua Aerobics, Nexom, and Newterra depend on Beck’s actuator OEM support for reliable, long-term performance.

Learn More

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How Beck's OEM Actuator Solutions Stand Out

  • Direct engineering collaboration – Work directly with the people who design and build the actuators being installed.
  • Custom actuator engineering – Mounting hardware, linkages, and control interfaces are designed for clients' specific equipment requirements.
  • Flexible control options – Get analog, digital, or network communication that matches the architecture.
  • Comprehensive testing – Performance validation and environmental qualification are routine steps in the development and delivery processes.
  • Made in America – All Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. products are engineered and manufactured in Pennsylvania, and are BABA compliant.
  • Proven OEM partnerships – Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. is trusted by many leading valve, damper, filter and other OEM manufacturers.
  • Life cycle support – Design updates, retrofits, and product evolution assistance are hallmarks of Beck's services to its clients.

Harold Beck & Sons: A Central Partner in Precision Actuation

Contact Beck's OEM engineering team to discuss your company’s needs.

OEM Actuator Solutions: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose between electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic actuators for my equipment?

Electric actuators offer precise control, programmability, and cleaner integration with digital control systems. They’re ideal for applications requiring accurate positioning, remote monitoring, and integration with modern automation systems.

Pneumatic actuators provide fast response and high force-to-weight ratios but require compressed air infrastructure.

Hydraulic actuators deliver maximum force density but add complexity with fluid systems.

For most OEM applications, electric actuators provide the best combination of performance, integration simplicity, and total cost of ownership.

2. How do I ensure accurate positioning and feedback in my system?

Accurate positioning requires three elements working together:

Mechanical precision – Proper mounting, alignment, and repeatable control

Reliable feedback – High-resolution position sensors with factory calibration

Control tuning – Precision control down to 0.1° accuracy

3. What environmental conditions must actuators survive in my application?

OEM systems often face challenging conditions; here are a number of them:

  • Temperature extremes (outdoor installations, heated processes)
  • Moisture and humidity (water treatment, coastal environments)
  • Vibration and shock (mobile equipment, high-flow applications)
  • Corrosive atmospheres (chemical plants, wastewater facilities)

Best practices for designing actuators include careful consideration of selection, specification, installation, and maintenance requirements. Beck applies rigorous environmental test protocols and materials selection to ensure actuators continue performing under real-world stresses. The company can provide IP66/IP68 NEMA Type 4x ratings, hazardous ratings, and high temperature-rated components based on clients' requirements.

4. How does actuator response time affect my system's control loop?

Actuator dynamics must align with a control system’s bandwidth. If an actuator responds too slowly, the control loop will be sluggish and unable to maintain setpoints during disturbances. If it responds too quickly relative to a process, instability or oscillation may result.

Beck collaborates on tuning, helping clients derive optimal response characteristics that integrate smoothly into a system's dynamic behavior. The company can provide recommended control parameters for specific applications.

5. Can Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. provide custom mounting hardware to match our equipment geometry?

Yes—this is one of Beck’s core capabilities. The firm routinely designs custom mounting brackets, linkages, couplers, and adapter plates to match OEM mechanical envelopes and space requirements.

The engineering team works from clients' CAD models or drawings to ensure perfect fitment. Clients receive 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings for the custom hardware, making assembly and documentation straightforward.

6. What engineering deliverables do clients receive to simplify integration?

OEM partners receive comprehensive documentation, including:

  • 3D CAD models (STEP, IGES, or other formats) for mechanical integration
  • 2D interface drawings with critical dimensions and tolerances
  • Wiring diagrams and connector specifications
  • Control specifications including I/O characteristics and communication protocols
  • Performance test reports with actual measured data
  • Installation and startup guides customized for clients’ applications

These deliverables streamline clients’ design reviews, CAD integration, and technical documentation.

7. What’s the typical lead time and what influences it?

Lead time depends on customization complexity and order volume:

Standard configurations with minor modifications: 4–6 weeks

Custom mounting hardware and moderate electrical changes: 8–12 weeks

Fully custom designs with new mechanical interfaces: 12–16 weeks

Beck manages timelines by enacting transparent milestone tracking, design review checkpoints, and proactive communication. The company works to compress schedules where possible, without compromising quality.

8. Does Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. support BABA/Made in America/domestic sourcing requirements?

Yes. Beck actuators are engineered and manufactured in the United States at its facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania. It is fully compliant with Build America, Buy America (BABA) standards and other domestic content requirements.

This matters particularly for OEMs selling into municipal water/wastewater, government infrastructure, and projects with federal funding requirements.

9. What happens if a client’s system design evolves over time?

Beck supports product evolution through:

  • Design updates – Modified mounting, updated electronics, or improved control changes
  • Retrofit kits – Solutions for upgrading existing installations
  • Component migration – Transitioning to newer components while maintaining backwards compatibility

A client's investment in Beck integration isn’t locked in to a single design generation. The company works with OEMs to manage product transitions smoothly.

Contact Beck's OEM engineering team to discuss your company's needs and explore how custom actuator engineering supports valve actuator integration, damper actuator partner needs, or actuator for filters and valves applications.

Contact the OEM Engineering Team →

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