Understanding the Design of Linear Actuators

For better understanding of how linear actuator works, you need to familiar with its design principle. Unlike the other actuators, these actuators have fewer working parts. Hence, these actuators are maintenance free. But, if you use them for couple of years then for sure you need to take of certain things. Linear actuator makes the devices easy to operate. Following are some of the important design parts of the linear actuators. Let’s have a look at these parts:

• Motor:

  This is one of the crucial components of actuators that creates the motion. Linear actuators are vary in terms of motor type, power and feature. Usually, a 12 volt DC motor is used in linear actuators, which interacts with other parts in order to deliver movement.

• Cylinder:

  The form of linear motion created by motor, allows the part of the cylinder to move, as it does not move itself. However, the inside parts of cylinder do.

• DC Brushes:

  They are used to convey the current in between the stationary wires. They efficiently bring the current into the linear actuators.

• Lead Screw:

  They are known as a power or translation screw. Lead screw is a part of linear motion system, which convert the rotational motion into linear motion. They come up with the cylinder, and travel upward and downward that facilitates the linear motion.

• Gears:

  Gear bridges the motor and the lead screw. Most of the gears are made of plastic or steel and mates with other one’s to alter the relation between the speed of the driven parts and the speed a driving mechanism.

What are the Types of Linear Actuators?

Four types of linear actuators are used in various applications to produce motion. All of them perform the same job, however, they do it differently and with different results. Thus, it is important to know about them.

• Electrical Actuators:

  This is one of the important type of linear actuators with a simple working mechanism. They equipped with a motor that creates power when current is passed. The electric motor offers sufficient power to the lead screw. Thus, it can move in a rotatory motion and generate motion. Vowing to their versatile design, they offer a wide range of motion profiles. These actuators can reprogrammed quickly than other, and offer an instant response. Electric actuators are commonly used in cruise control and DRS.

• Pneumatic Actuators:

  They are known for converting compressed air into linear or rotary motion. They are ideal for the applications where cleanliness is necessary. They feature no motor that mean there is no any magnetic interference at high temperatures. This makes them suited for the application involving high temperatures. Pneumatic actuators feature valves that controls the flow of liquid when required.

• Hydraulic Actuator:

  They are known as hydraulic cylinders, which operates on oil pressure. They are specially designed for high force applications. They feature with a working piston cylinder system, which make use of hydraulic power to produce motion. A reservoir, a pump, and a valve make up a hydraulic system. However, the valve directs the piston motion by giving way to oil. After applying oil pressure to the piston, it will move in the opposite direction. The piston give a return stroke through spring that is attached to it. This is the way the piston operates in and out.

• Vacuum Actuator:

  They are ideal for an activation or switching mechanism. That means, these actuators offer motion to the secondary device once joined to a vacuum source. They are ideal for an activation or switching mechanism. Vacuum actuator feature a small chamber where vacuum forms. They also consist of springs connected to a piston that offers a push, which forces the piston to go out that chamber and join to a secondary device. Vowing its uses, they are widely used in air conditioning systems, automobiles engines and more.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: All Important Questions Answered on Linear Actuators Part 2

That’s definitely not an end of the questions about linear actuators. All the outlined information covers the basics of actuators. Let’s discuss few more points in the next post. Stay connected to update your knowledge.

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A linear actuator – as the name suggests – is a device, which converts rotary motion into linear motion. Components such as wheel, screw, and axle or cam form the basic building blocks of a linear actuator. When the screw of the actuator is rotated, it is held in place by the nut. This helps produce a linear motion, which makes the screw of the actuator travel in a straight line. You can do this with or without the use of motor. When a motor is used to produce linear motion, the actuator is called electric linear actuator. On the other hand, when linear motion is produced without a motor, then it is referred to as a mechanical linear actuator. These actuators are widely used in almost every industrial process. They cover a vast span of application areas. One such major application of linear actuators is conveyor system. The conveyor belts make use of linear actuators for material handling requirements. This post will discuss in detail the use of linear actuator in the conveyors.

What are the Different Types of Linear Actuators used in Material Handling Industry?

The material handling industry makes use of different types of linear actuators. Some most commonly used actuators for material handling, or to be specific, conveyor systems are as follows:

1. DC Actuators
2. Commercial Actuators
3. Electric Actuators (12V, 36V, and 90V)
4. RV- Slide Out Actuators

Significance of Linear Actuators in Conveyor Systems

Linear actuators play an important role in the material handling industry. These devices are crucial in the proper operation of conveyor systems. Here is how these devices contribute to the functioning of conveyor systems:

• In the packaging industry, the finished products are moved through conveyors. The conveyor system consists of linear actuators that are fixed in different positions, which makes these movements easy.
• These actuators are widely used in food and beverage industry for a number of processes, including food separation, packaging, and bottling.
• Apart from the above applications, these actuators find their importance in the rocket manufacturing industry as well. The electric linear actuators ensure proper clamping procedures.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: Venture Mfg. Co. – Leader in Linear Motion Technology Since 1971

All the information given in the post is the reason why linear actuators are so much important in conveyors and material handling industry. However, the quality of linear actuators is a factor that should not be left unaddressed. It is very important as the overall performance of a conveyor system is based on the quality of the actuator. To get the linear actuator of good quality, you must approach trusted, experienced, and well-known manufacturers or suppliers. Venture Mfg. Co. is one such experienced and trusted suppliers of linear actuators for conveyor system. The company stocks a wide variety of linear actuators with different capabilities and specifications.

The post How Do Linear Actuators and Conveyors Share a Strong Bond? appeared first on Venture Mfg. Co..

A Brief Explanation on Acme Screw Actuators & Ball Screw Actuators

The most basic difference between these two types of actuators lies in their mechanics.

• Acme screws are distinguished by their trapezoidal thread, which rolls on the lead screw to create a motion. In Acme screw actuators, linear force is transmitted to the nut by the rotating shaft. Efficiency of the linear motion depends on various factors such as lead screw, nut material, and lubrication. Most times, nuts are made from materials such as polymers, self-lubricating plastics, and metals like bronze, or brass. Nonmetallic nuts require no lubrication, and have low coefficient of friction. Both these characteristics contribute to their higher efficiencies. Metallic nuts are well-known for their load bearing properties, but they require lubrication, and high frictional forces.
• Ball screws are distinguishable due to their circular threads on the nut and the screw. These circular threads serve as helical raceway for ball bearings. The ball bearings roll through circular threads when the nut or screw moves. This rolling movement creates a linear motion.

Uses and Advantages of Acme Screw Linear Actuators and Ball Screw Linear Actuators

Firstly, let’s understand the advantages of Acme screw linear actuators.

• Acme screw linear actuators produce no noise because there are no rolling components.
• These actuators are ideal choice for vertical, as well as light load applications.
• The preloaded nut assembly in these actuators help reduce or completely eliminate backlash. This boosts application scope of these actuators.
• These actuators are safe to operate when the unit has a static load to hold.
• Lead screws are self-locking, which means there is no need to apply brakes, even in situations of power outage.
• Acme screw actuators are extremely affordable because they have low manufacturing costs.

Ball screw linear actuators are valued for their following advantages:

• Ball screws can carry heavy loads than Acme screw actuators.
• In these actuators, the screw thread and the nut don’t make a direct contact, but they always move along the rolling ball bearings. Hence, the low friction helps improve its speed, force, and duty cycle rating. Also, the low friction aids to its longer life cycle, and less motor power is required to drive them.
• The most common applications of these actuators include robots, aircraft, power steering, and semiconductors.
• These actuators can turn rotational motion into straight motion, and vice-versa.

As seen, both these variants have their own benefits. Thus, the choice will entirely depend on your application requirements.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: Acme Screw DC Actuators: Why Are They Suited For Your Industrial Applications

Most linear actuator manufacturers in USA provide either of these two actuators in various specifications. However, your applications may have special requirements. In such cases, it is always better to opt for custom designed ball screws or Acme lead screws. There are very few linear actuator manufacturers who can provide you customized actuation solutions. Venture Mfg. Co. is one such Acme lead screw and ball screw linear actuators manufacturer who specialize in customized solutions.

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