What is Linear actuator: Definition and 34 Discussions

A linear actuator is an actuator that creates motion in a straight line, in contrast to the circular motion of a conventional electric motor. Linear actuators are used in machine tools and industrial machinery, in computer peripherals such as disk drives and printers, in valves and dampers, and in many other places where linear motion is required. Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders inherently produce linear motion. Many other mechanisms are used to generate linear motion from a rotating motor.

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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. 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...
  5. 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...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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...
  9. 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...
  10. german_cargo

    Replacing a remote with a switch -- voltage drop problems :(

    I have a linear actuator that raises and lowers my snow plow blade and the wireless remote stopped working. Rather than order a new one for $200, I decided to splice into the wiring and put a momentary switch in my truck. I didn't like the remote anyways. I grabbed some wire and wired up a...
  11. 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...
  12. 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...
  13. 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...
  14. 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...
  15. 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...
  16. marellasunny

    500 kg Solar CSP reflector dish mechanism problem

    I am currently re-fabricating solar concentrator dishes to allow for automatic tracking of the sun during the day and month. The industry term for these dishes is 'CSP' (Concentrated Solar Power). Task at hand: The CSP parabolic dishes are currently manually adjusted to the position of the sun...
  17. 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...
  18. 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...
  19. 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...
  20. 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...
  21. 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...
  22. 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...
  23. 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...
  24. 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...
  25. M

    Stepper Motor or Linear Actuator

    Hi,I am trying to design a simple autonomous braking system for a 4 wheel drive ATV. The system needs to be as cheap as possible. I have come up with two possible solutions. The use of a linear Actuator to activate the brake or a stepper motor attached in someway to the master cylinder. It needs...
  26. B

    Simple continuous back-and-forth linear movement

    I need to purchase a device that will push something forward and backward continuously, in order to make wings flap like a bird. Linear actuators seem to be the right thing to buy, except these require pressing buttons to go forward and then back. What can I buy/what can I do that will allow a...
  27. C

    Linear Actuator (Solenoid pushing a cylindrical magnet)

    I am working on a home made electromechanical actuator to replace the vacuum actuator on the front axle of my Jeep Cherokee. The vacuum actuator isn't the greatest and I have replaced it and the system lines few times. SO I figure, I know what force the vacuum actuator is putting out, I...
  28. A

    Linear Actuator Motion Profile

    Homework Statement The problem deals with a linear rail system not unlike the one displayed in the image below The relevant variables include: Load = 70 Lbs Load travel = 2.2 m Load speed required = 2.3 m/s Cycle time = 9 sec Capacity of actuator = 33,000 N With the given...
  29. M

    How to create a sound-activate switch control a linear Actuator.

    I am trying to make a sound activated linear actuator to open blinds when my alarm goes off. There are a couple concerns I have; Will the switch be triggered by a loud alarm clock? and would there be a way to have another switch to close the blinds once they have been opened, something like a...
  30. E

    Controllable Force & Speed Linear Actuator

    I am investigating linear actuator technologies as an alternate to using pneumatics. I require independent control over both the output force and stroke velocity. The force needs to be varied between 30-160N and the stroke velocity varied up to a maximum 1.2m/s. The maximum frequency of actuator...
  31. S

    How Can I Create a High-Speed and Accurate Linear Actuator for My Project?

    I am working on a project that requires moving a 100mm long and <.5mm diameter pin a specific distance in a straight line. I want to move the pin in and out as fast as possible and accurate to less than .05 mm. The device needs to be as small as possible. The stepper linear actuators on the...
  32. G

    Inner working of a linear actuator

    I need to describe the working mechanism for the following actuator. Here's what I've written so far: However, I feel that I'm missing something. In particular, how is the force that moves the plunger generated? Is it really due to the magnetic fields? I know of the right hand rule where...
  33. A

    Forces and reaction forces generated by a linear actuator

    A linear actuator is wedged between two solid walls as shown in the diagram below. The linear actuator is pushing outwards with a force of 10N. What are the magnitudes of the forces labelled in the diagrams? I reckon that F1 = F2 = R1 = R2. However, I'm not sure if F1 = F2 = 5N or 10N...
  34. V

    Cheap Continual Motion Linear Actuator?

    I am not a mechanical engineer but rather a computer programmer so pardon me if my question is simple in your field. I have a need for a linear actuator that has a stroke of about eight inches but it needs to be constant motion so as soon as it reaches the end of its stroke, it needs to reverse...
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