subject: Linear Actuators Assist in Automation [print this page] Linear Actuators Assist in Automation Linear Actuators Assist in Automation
To control a mechanism or system, a mechanical device known as actuator is used. It is operated by an energy source like hydraulic fluid pressure, electric current or pneumatic pressure and converting that energy into some kind of motion. Whereas a linear actuator is the type of actuator that when driven by a non-linear motion, creates linear motion (as compared to rotary motion, e.g. of an electric motor). The best ways of achieving Mechanical and hydraulic actuations are hydraulic and linear actuators. To be precise a linear actuator is a mechanical device that creates force and motion, from a given energy source, in a linear manner, as compared to rotationally like an electric motor.
Linear actuators modulate control valves, move work tables on industrial machines, move printer and scanner heads back and forth on computer equipment and drive material handling equipment and robotics. They drive lifts and shovels on construction equipment and provide the oscillatory motion of audio loudspeakers. Linear actuators are powered by 12 or 24 volt power sources. A power adaptor, car or marine battery can be connected to an actuator with ease. Linear actuators are popular in many fields such as medical equipment, furniture, consumer products, hobby design and any other products where automation is needed. Conversion of rotary motion into linear motion is the operational basis of Mechanical linear actuators. A few simple types of mechanism generally get the conversion accomplished.
The DC linear actuators can be combined with control boxes, rocker switches and mounting brackets and the control box will enable you to connect to a regular (AC) home outlet and the mounting brackets are designed specifically for mounting our PA-02 actuators. It takes less than five minutes to set up the control boxes and operate linear actuator. Every control box comes with a remote to control the dc linear actuators movement or a foot pedal can be purchased instead.
Most of the linear actuator designs functions on a simple basic principle. The principle is guided by the character of an incline plane. A lead screw threads act as a prolonged ramp that allows a small rotational force to be operated over a long distance to gain movement of a heavy load over a short distance.
Some of the combination of linear actuators may be:
