Types of Linear Actuators & Their Uses

Linear actuators have gradually become an indispensable part of modern automation and mechanical engineering. Thanks to their ability to perform precise and controlled linear motion, they meet the industry's innovative needs for high-precision and demanding production tasks. As a result, engineers love linear actuators for their versatility and reliability.

In this article, we will discuss the various types of linear actuators and closely examine their uses. This will help you choose the actuator that is more suitable for you.

Linear Actuator Overview

Before we begin, we need to understand the principle of linear actuators, which was mentioned in the previous article "How Linear Actuators Work & What They Are".

A linear actuator is a device that converts rotary motion into linear motion, used to achieve precise positioning and movement of a load, and is usually composed of a motor, a control unit, and other transmission mechanisms. The motor generates the initial power, and the electrical energy is converted into kinetic energy to drive the screw, belt, or other transmission mechanism to move linearly.

After understanding the principle, let's look at the types of linear actuators. There are many ways to classify them. For example, according to the power source, they can be divided into electric, pneumatic and hydraulic linear actuators, according to the transmission method, they can be divided into screw drive, belt drive, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

Types of Linear Actuators

Mechanical actuators: Mechanical actuators mainly use mechanical transmission devices such as gears, cams, worm gears, etc. to achieve linear motion. Using mechanical principles, the rotation of the screw drives the nut to move forward along the axis, or deforms the cam, thereby generating thrust. Its characteristics are high precision, simple structure, and no need for external energy.

Fig. 1 Mechanical actuator

Motor electric actuators: Motor electric actuators use the rotational motion of the motor to convert into linear motion through a transmission mechanism. They drive components such as screws, gears or linear motors through motors to achieve precise linear displacement control.

Hydraulic actuators: The principle of hydraulic actuators is to use the pressure generated by hydraulic oil in a sealed container to push the piston or drive shaft to move linearly. The characteristics of hydraulic actuators are large output driving force, stable and reliable transmission, high adjustment accuracy, and fast response speed.

Fig. 2 Hydraulic actuator

Solenoid Actuators: Solenoid actuators work on the principle of electromagnetics. When current passes through a coil, a magnetic field is generated, which in turn attracts or repels ferromagnetic materials (such as iron cores), causing the actuator to produce linear motion. This type of actuator has the advantages of fast response speed, simple control, and compact structure, and is widely used in automatic control systems, such as valve control, electromagnetic locks, etc.

Pneumatic actuators: Pneumatic actuators use compressed air as a power source to push the piston or transmission components to move linearly through the action of air pressure. Pneumatic actuators have the characteristics of large driving torque, fast response speed, convenient operation, energy saving and environmental protection.

Fig.3 Pneumatic actuators

Linear Motor Actuators: Linear motor actuators use linear motors as power sources to directly produce linear motion without the need for conversion through an intermediate transmission mechanism. They have the advantages of fast dynamic response, high precision, and low noise, and are particularly suitable for applications that require high-speed, high-precision linear motion, such as semiconductor manufacturing, precision machining, etc.

Fig. 4 Linear Motor Actuator

Piezoelectric Actuators: Piezoelectric actuators use the inverse piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric materials to cause the material to expand or contract slightly by applying voltage, thereby achieving precise micro-displacement control. Piezoelectric actuators have the characteristics of fast response speed, high control accuracy, and low operating noise, and are widely used in precision positioning, motors, and vibration suppression.

Linear Actuator Uses

The variety of linear actuators makes them widely used in automation and mechanical engineering, with the following being the main ones:

Automation: Automation and linear actuators are inseparable, and the inherent precision and controllability of linear actuators are exactly what automation requires.

Medical devices: If it is medical equipment, I believe it is not difficult to understand, such as surgical robots, adjustable beds and patient positioning systems, all of which require high standards of precision and safety.

Automotive industry: With the needs of the public, the automotive industry is also developing rapidly, and linear actuators can be seen from production lines to products.

Smart home and security systems: What else can linear actuators be used for? You may be confused when you see this. Yes, linear actuators can be found in everything from blinds and curtains to smart locks and garage doors. Security systems play a role in activating gates and other access control systems.

Fig. 5 Linear Actuators in Automation Applications

Installation of Linear Actuators

Installation of a linear actuator begins with an assessment of the environment and requirements, primarily to ensure that the device will last for the intended purpose. This includes selecting a matching mounting bracket or mounting plate to hold the linear actuator in place.

After the basic assessment and hardware requirements are completed, the linear actuator (electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical, etc.) is connected to the system and power supply according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Once turned on, the linear actuator can be functionally tested to verify that it can respond smoothly to control signals and accurately handle operations. During this process, it needs to be debugged continuously until it meets the final expectations, so that the linear actuator is assembled.

Conclusion

Linear actuators are versatile and powerful tools that enable precise and controlled motion in countless applications. From industrial automation to medical devices, their importance cannot be overstated. As a leading supplier of automation machinery parts, JLCMC also has high-precision and accurate linear actuators. Currently, new members can also receive up to $9 threshold-free coupons when registering. If you want to know more about our products, you can register as a member below!