Choosing the right linear actuator

Power

The first element that aids in choosing a linear actuator is the magnitude of the force to be generated. The actuator is used to produce force to overcome friction, to lift an object or to compress or stretch a piston, and sufficient power output is required. Go down to your estimates and determine the size of the required strength; Then use your figure to remove any actuator that provides insufficient power.

Velocity

What is the speed at which your task should be accomplished? Once you have known the speed required for your operations, you can exclude all settings that are either too slow or too fast. Remember, the speed of your linear actuator combined with the magnitude of the generated power gives the exact picture of the engine power required. Linear Actuator  

Strength

The next thing to establish is the impact strength of your linear actuator, that is, the distance your actuator needs to cover to perform your task. Usually, it is recommended to stick to typical directory options such as two-inch additions. Some people do not know that impact strength determines the range of retraction of their actuators and fails to get actuators that fit exactly to the available space. It is worth noting that an actuator with longer impact strength is pulled out more than one with shorter impact strength.

Other factors

Many actuators, other than advanced servo units, cannot work incessantly without overheating. The buyer is responsible for controlling the appraisal cycle for a particular opportunity to avoid overheating challenges.

What is the available power supply option for your linear actuator? If your choice requires a battery power supply, you will need to obtain a DC motor that has the same voltage rating as the application. Conversely, applications requiring AC power may not need AC motors due to the easy conversion of AC power to any DC voltage.

The operation of certain linear actuators can be hampered by cruel temperatures, immersion or other harsh outdoor situations. This can limit your options and require careful vetting of available choices. However, almost any actuator works indoors and your choices are wide open. Deciding to provide external protection to your actuator unit is often better than trying to find an intrusion-protected rating suitable for your outdoor conditions and meeting all other requirements.

Flexibility is critical when deciding on built-in limit switches and feedback positioning devices such as encoders and potentiometers. The limit switches can easily be integrated into your automated system and there is no need to insist on one that is part of the actuator.

Final decision

When considering your choices, remember that high output power should not hide your attention at the expense of actuator durability. Although high output rating, be it moments, loads or pulls, indicates a markedly high competitive advantage, a short lifetime can have a more lasting impact on your operations. Normalizing the specification values ​​of a linear actuator to their rated life using external forces will produce relevant data which, when evaluated in the same units of measurement, should provide reliable tips on which to base your choice. However, use manufacturer ratings only as guidelines when choosing a linear actuator.