Get To Know About The Basics Of Linear Actuators

By Author: Ryan
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A high precision linear actuator, also known as a ram, piston, or activator, allows movement in a straight line to commence or complete a certain operation. These technologies, such as computer disc drives and printers, serve important roles in both ordinary and professional settings. A linear actuator provides force in a straight line. Historically, a classic military strategy entailed utilising a large tree trunk as a battering ram against doors, demonstrating basic linear motion.


Screw-driven, wheel-and-handle, and cam linear actuators are the three most common types. In screw types, movement is controlled by the winding or unwinding of a screw. Wheel and handle actuators move by using the force of a belt or a chain connected to a shaft. Cam-based actuators use an eccentric circle to generate shaft motion.


Each industry defines a linear actuator differently, but the most common definition is a device that converts rotating force into linear movement. This initial force could be from a manual crank or an electric motor, which is subsequently directed to a linear mechanism or device.

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... br /> Linear actuators and customizable linear module provide motion in a safe, clean, and quiet manner, with high control precision. Their long-lasting construction, low maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency make them indispensable in production environments. These actuators are essential in a wide range of applications and products due to their customisable designs for a variety of environments.


Linear actuators were developed during the Industrial Revolution to control increasingly sophisticated equipment. They were critical components in steam engines' hydraulic and pneumatic systems, where pistons converted steam power into energy.


Brent Jensen, a Danish entrepreneur, invented the contemporary electric actuator in 1979 to help a buddy with his wheelchair. The actuator enabled for height modification of the chair, which improved user ease. Jensen extended the use of this notion beyond the original invention, resulting in the first electric actuator.


Before Jensen's innovation, electric motors could only perform rotational operations. His invention expanded the potential uses for electric motors, significantly increasing their application options. The system created for his friend's wheelchair revealed a plethora of new possibilities, dramatically expanding the practical uses of electric motors.


Companies that provide agricultural innovations updated their equipment system, enhancing the functionality of forage harvesters with linear actuators to efficiently load silage into silos. Linear actuators were first used in agriculture and have now extended to other industries as a dependable, effective solution.


Types of Linear Actuators


Building on Jensen’s initial invention, a broad range of actuators has been created to fulfil the wide range of industrial automation, motion control, and robotics requirements encountered today. The concept of the first electrical linear actuator was quickly adopted and adapted, with many varieties designed to fit diverse equipment, conditions, and production requirements. The most common linear actuators include mechanical or electromechanical actuators, hydraulic linear actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, and piezoelectric actuators. Each high precision linear actuator type provides distinct motion profiles, speed, precision, and force characteristics required for a wide range of automation and positioning applications.


Understanding their differences and capabilities is critical for engineers, procurement professionals, and end users looking for the best actuator solution for their industrial or commercial needs.