What is Actuator: Definition and 83 Discussions

An actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, for example by opening a valve. In simple terms, it is a "mover".
An actuator requires a control signal and a source of energy. The control signal is relatively low energy and may be electric voltage or current, pneumatic, or hydraulic fluid pressure, or even human power. Its main energy source may be an electric current, hydraulic pressure, or pneumatic pressure. When it receives a control signal, an actuator responds by converting the source's energy into mechanical motion. In the electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic sense, it is a form of automation or automatic control.
An actuator is a mechanism by which a control system acts upon to perform an operation or task. The control system can be simple (a fixed mechanical or electronic system), software-based (e.g. a printer driver, robot control system), a human, or any other input.

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  1. _maxim_

    Mini linear actuator for syringe

    Dear, I would like to create a controlled system to inject 1-2 ml of liquid (a chemical reagent) into a solution contained in a glass flask. The only request made is to use a reliable linear piston of minimum size, equal to or slightly larger than the injected volume (1 cm3) so that it can...
  2. bphillips921

    Trying to determine linear actuator force needed

    I'm designing a pivot lift system to lift my movie projector up when not in use. I've designed the parts and begun 3D printing, but am concerned that the 3D print won't be strong enough, so I may bite the bullet and have the parts CNC machined. If I do that I want to be certain that I have the...
  3. S

    Quick-adjusting linear actuator?

    I am making a project which requires a linear actuator which can be adjusted manually, in a similar manner to those Vices which have the ratchet lever, allowing you to manually push the vice in or pull it out rather than winding it in and out. I'd like the same principle but on a linear actuator...
  4. E

    How does a 3 stage linear mechanical actuator work?

    How does a 3 stage linear actuator mechanical work. I can only find a regular linear actuator mechanical but I'm unsure how will the last stage go up and down. Anyone got a poor 3d drawing for a better understanding.?
  5. G

    A small linear actuator with a very long stroke

    Hello, I am working on a mechanics project, on which I encounter a problem that I am sure others have faced before. I have tried to find answers here and there by typing keywords, but I can't find what I am looking for. Here is the context: Two horizontal plates are separated by a...
  6. S

    Seeking a type of linear actuator, which may or may not exist

    As the brief summary explains, I'm looking for a linear actuator which moves quickly and can move a moderately low load (say, 10kg) but which also features an adjusting hard-stop which can withstand significantly heavier. So effectively, the actuator can move in and out, preferably quickly, but...
  7. T

    Linear Actuator -- Why is this not working?

    I'm using the actuator that says its good for 270lb https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/12v-dc-12-in-stroke-270-lb-linear-actuator/A-p8507840e I'm using the 4rth pully system from here Pulley diagram I'm using it to lift 40 lbs So from the diagram I figured that to lift 40 lbs I need an...
  8. R

    Directional actuator control circuit

    Hi there. I want to power and control a linear actuator that is considered heavy duty. I am contemplating either using an an existing control driver or building the circuitry with various components. i want to use these attractive control buttons which are led light up...
  9. T

    How to ensure maximum possible joint torque for an actuator?

    Below, I have a joint system that consists of a fixed anchor and a moving arm: What I want is simple: To attach a linear actuator on the moving arm in such a way that the mechanical advantage of the actuator is exactly 1 (Ie the actuator only has to generate exactly the amount of force as the...
  10. A

    Stabilizer Leg Linear Actuator Force to Jack up a Truck's rear tyres

    Hi, I previously posted about the statically indeterminate truck problem. Thank you to everyone who helped me. However, I now realized that isn't the problem I need to solve. I need to know the force of the linear actuators to lift the rear tyres off the ground. Since the tyres will be...
  11. marciokoko

    Solve angle issues for opening a door with a linear actuator

    ok, setting the force issues aside (for now), Id like to use what I know about triangles to figure how to position my linear actuator in order to open and close this door correctly: The vertical side is 84cm, the door is 92cm. The measured stroke of the AL is 25cm. I would need to lower the...
  12. J

    Maximum mechanical actuator strength allowed by physics

    What is the strongest actuator (that can exert a controlled amount of force & be able to start/stop linearly or rotationally) that an infinitely advanced civilization could create, and how (what object/process) would they do it? It must be non-lethal or be shielded to be non-lethal at a distance...
  13. K

    Electrical Which Linear Actuator is Best for a Sliding Gate at a Cottage?

    I want to put myself a linear actuator on the sliding gate to the cottage. I looked in the internet, there are a lot of offers and the prices are very different. Maybe there are people here who understand this and can advise me what type of actuator is better, manufacturer and where to buy? I...
  14. N

    Reducing Noise of Linear Actuator up to 125kg Force

    Hi, For a machine I am designing, the linear actuator would ideally not produce much noise as it is intended to be in a relatively quiet environment. Just wondering do all actuators produce a large amount of noise pollution (it would need to produce a force of up to 125kg so it is not a small...
  15. N

    Mechanism with a linear actuator

    Designing a machine. For it to work properly there would need to be a mechanism that connects the linear actuator to the stand that would allow for the actuator to move horizontally relatively freely with applied forces at the bottom, when there is simultaneously a downward applied force by the...
  16. K

    Electrical Lock Actuator from my Honda CRV

    I got this honda crv 2004 rear cargo lock actuator accidentally replaced when it was working.. although Honda said it might not be working. So I want to check if it is really working or not. Which of the 5 terminal can move the actuator by suppying with 12 volts DC supply? I watched a lot of...
  17. B

    Static load of linear actuator

    Hello, I measured an object using an electric scale. It is 5kg. I want to select a linear actuator such that when placed vertically, it can keep the object on hold at a fixed height. In this case, what static load (in lbs and Netwon) should the actuator be capable of handling? I am confused by...
  18. A

    Actuating Pencil To Draw Waveforms

    I am looking to make a pencil whose tip moves to create a waveform as you move it across the paper.In essence, I want to be able to record a sound and then play the sound through the pencil whilst I draw with it, of course, I will use software to lower the frequency to make it more of a waveform...
  19. rkatcosmos

    What is the rotational velocity of hard disk actuator arm?

    0 down vote favorite There is a lot of material discussing the rotational speed of the magnetic disk in HDD but not about the rotational speed of actuator arm. What are the typical actuation speeds of the actuator in HDD? This information will be used in the design of a fast shutter system...
  20. C

    Lateral electric fields in a lateral electrostatic actuator

    Hello, I'm reading through section 6.2.2 of https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-013-electromagnetics-and-applications-spring-2009/readings/MIT6_013S09_chap06.pdf on page 157. I understand all the math, but I have a conceptual questions that I don't seem to...
  21. B

    Linear Actuator Sizing for Angular Force (BMX starting gate)

    I am sizing a linear actuator to build a BMX gate. Please see the drawing below. I have a metal gate that is 20" tall and 9.5' wide. It will be steel and weigh approximately 150lbs. I am mounting the rear of the linear actuator on a clevis 8" off the ground. The front will be mounted with...
  22. Anachronist

    B Non-ferrous solenoid actuator -- Force calculation

    I'm trying to come up with a lightweight solenoid linear actuator, by constructing two electromagnets that telescope. The outer coil would be wrapped around a soda straw, and the inner coil would fit inside the soda straw and be wrapped around something smaller, like a bamboo skewer (which also...
  23. arjunzv8

    Actuator on an accelerating body

    Hello all, new member here. Signed up cause I am stumped by a physics problem. I am trying to size a linear actuator. Basically I have a large body that is accelerating at acceleration in x direction. I have a linear actuator aligned in the x direction that is rigidly attached to the large body...
  24. H

    Locking Mechanism reducing load on locking pin

    Hi, I wanted to make a locking mechanism. The problem was the forces on the actuator (solenoid in this case) where getting too high In image 2, the wedge shaped lock plate was exerting too much force on the actuator, which would unlock and could potentially break the actuator. Or I would have...
  25. M

    Linear actuator use in all electric mini-digger

    Hi all, I've got this idea in my head of building a mini-loader like a http://www.multione.com/mini-articulated-loaders/ . I'm interested in replacing the hydraulics with linear actuators and wondered if anyone here could shed some thoughts/advice. Given the driveline would also be fully...
  26. B

    Suppositional Hydrolic control

    I have considered myself versed on a topic as broad as hydrolic and recently came to doubt myself on a simple idea of what it takes to actuate a hydrolic flow between a junction of two piston's, so taking in mind the simple shape in the image Could this be stopped once the flow is pushing only...
  27. ramzerimar

    Project: Speed and force control of a linear actuator

    My background is in mechanical engineering, but I'm working on a project for which I need to design a control system for a linear actuator. I want to design the actuator using a roller screw mechanism, which in turn will be conected to a 3 horsepower electric motor through gear reduction. I need...
  28. B

    Does a Belt drive actuator isolate motor vibration?

    Trying to build a case for a belt driven ball screw axis versus a Planetary gear box, with the fact that the motor vibration would carry down the gearbox to the axis, but the timing belt drive would isolate the motor vibration. How would I model this? and ideally a way to get a factor of...
  29. a_c_e

    Gas Spring and Linear Actuator calculation....

    May I start by saying hello to all and that I have visited the site before, but have yet to create an account until now. With that said, I am having difficulty calculating proper numbers for a project I am designing. Mind you, it has been about seven years since I was in any physics or...
  30. B

    Automotive Single actuator Wiper design to wipe a surface area

    I'm given this problem to solve with the assumption as stated above. The answers need not be logical as long as the linkage mechanism can be simulated. I've attempted the question using Mercedes Mono Wiper mechanism but only manage to cover 41% given the width of the wiper. May I ask if there...
  31. marellasunny

    Alternatives to varistors as overload protection at DC motor

    Alternatives to varistors as overload protection at DC motor DC Motor here implies 12V linear actuator w/DC Motor that consumes 2.8A under loading condition. Pretty costly equipment. I'm using a L298N motor driver connected in parallel to run the linear actuator. The motor driver is run by a...
  32. X

    Neat windings vs sloppy windings for Solenoid Actuator?

    Hello, I am a hobby machinist and also an EE PhD student. Recently I have been trying to make powerful solenoid actuators. I have succeeded, but they aren't perfect. I really want to make a professional, powerful solenoid. To give a sense of how deep I am going, here is what I have found so...
  33. L

    Pivot Failure on Rotary Actuator

    I have simplified the problem down to something like a physics textbook question, although this is a practical problem where the pivot on my rotary actuator has been damaged by a faulty driver which caused the armature to ram into the endstop. Obviously this needs better protection. My problem...
  34. vtechno1729

    Automotive What is a good linear actuator that has force feedback?

    Where can I find one of these? That is, are there linear actuators where I can specify the force it should apply and it gives me back exactly how much force was applied? Are there any linear actuators that can do this and also give me position feedback, i.e., where my object is after it has been...
  35. X

    Ring magnet sliding on iron core solenoid actuator

    Hi everyone, I have lots of (potentially dumb) questions about this "project" I'm working on. It's a voice coil actuator, but with things a bit reversed. Here's how a regular voice-coil actuator is constructed: The rod that is inside the coil is a magnet and the outer cylinder continues the...
  36. marellasunny

    Linear actuator limit switch replacement/repair

    Linear actuator spec.: 400mm stroke, 6000N, 2 limit switches, 5mm/sec, 12V DC supply, BIBUS IP65 casing. One of the limit switches of my LA (Linear Actuator) seems to have burned out. This happened because I accidentally plugged the LA leads into the AC mains socket (my LA is rated to run at...
  37. M

    Actuator for a wrist tremor suppression sleeve/exoskelet

    Hey everyone, We are currently working on a project to make a kind of sleeve that can suppress a big part of the wrist tremor that Parkinson patients or people with other diseases have. We are trying to decide to make this a partially active system, with only adjustable damping, or a fully...
  38. B

    Precision Control of Linear Actuators Using Force Limitation and Feedback Loop

    This might be a simple and pretty basic question, but i have not succeeded on finding any relevant info online, so hopefully someone can help me out. Is it possible to pull and actuator and it resists being pulled with a preset amount of force? What I'm thinking is e.x you have set a preset a...
  39. S

    Fokker 100 Brake Disc Actuator Main Landing Gear

    Dear users, I have a problem with a calculation. I have got an assignment. For this assignment I have to redesign the brake actuators for the brake discs of the main landing gear of th fokker 100. I have forgotten how to calculate a force that goes sideways. The sideway forces are created when...
  40. R

    Net force acting on a piston shaft of an actuator

    Homework Statement A cylindrical piston shaft weighs 250 g and is held vertically inside an actuator (We can assume actuator is a box with hollow cylindrical space to fit the piston shaft). Compressed air at 100 psi is supplied at the bottom of the actuator and is acting on the piston upwards...
  41. T

    Engineering Optimize the design of a magnetic circuit actuator

    Homework Statement The aim is to optimize this actuator to get the maximum force from it. Here is the circuit diagram below: Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Length of air gap top (Ragt in diagram) = 0.5 mm Length of air gap centre (Ragc) = 0.25 mm Current in coil = 0.8 A (I...
  42. T

    Need help finding a suitable piezo actuator

    Hi there, I'm an undergrad and I'm designing a system at the moment. It utilizes a LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator), but I'm in need of much higher accelerations than what it offers. The current device is small (about 10 mm), circular, and produces about 1.7G of acceleration on a 100g object. A...
  43. U

    How to get a linear solenoid actuator to cycle?

    Hi, I am working on a project with my daughter who is 10. We are trying to get a linear solenoid actuator (push) to continuously repeat (push/return...push/return). But all it does is push and stop. How do I get the wiring set up to enable the solenoid to automatically cycle? Thanks!
  44. A

    Calculating acceleration constant for linear actuator

    I am trying to model the maximum performance of a linear actuator assembly and create a flexible excel tool for calculating other systems in the future. The actuators are simple ball screws driven through a gearbox by a motor, typically BLDC so the torque is relatively constant over most of the...
  45. D

    Micrometer Linear Actuator with manual adjustment knob

    I'm trying to put together an automated system for an optical assembly process. The base unit consists of a set of three-axis Thorlabs translation stages and manual micrometer handles for adjustment in X Y and Z. I need to control the Z axis motion with a linear actuator instead of the manual...
  46. R

    Transient FEM Simulation of a Solenoid Actuator with MAXWELL

    Hey Guys! Hi Guys! Well I am new here and I have to confess that I somehow got stuck in a 3D transient electromagnetic simulation of a solenoid actuator and… I’m a mechanical engineer^^ So I would appreciate some help of you guys! 1. I imported the geometry from CAD-files. But I remodeled...
  47. M

    Piezoelectric actuator modeling in ABAQUS

    1. Modeling accurately a piezoelectric stack-type actuator2. Please what are the necessary parameters and boundary conditions that one needs to define in Abaqus with regards to the above subject matter?3. I have defined elastic coefficients, permittivity, and piezoelectricity coefficients. I...
  48. M

    Static load Vs Push force on an actuator

    Hello all, I have an actuator to lift a table, with certain amount of wait on it. Since I have mounted the actuator in an angle, I had to analyze the load on the actuator. However, the velocity at which I am lifting the table is bare minimum compared to the load on the table. So I had the...
  49. M

    Calculating time for Linear actuator to operate?

    I have a linear actuator operating on an object that, when pressure acts against it, produces a force up to 4000 Newtons. The linear actuator operates with a maximum speed of 11mm/s at no force and a minimum speed at maximum force of 8mm/s. Being a linear actuator the speed decrease linearly...
  50. M

    Piezoelectric and minimum dimensions of an actuator beam?

    Homework Statement We want to build a micro-positioning system that produces a maximum travel of 5 μm by using a piezoelectric linear actuator beam with a square cross section (a^2) and length (l) as shown below. A piezoelectric material with piezoelectric coefficients d13 = -2.0×10-8, d33...
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