Create Accurate Linear Motion with Quality Linear Actuator
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A linear actuator is a familiar device used in various industrial sectors especially those in the manufacturing units. It goes a long way to decrease machine malfunction and ensure worker safety by making them move in just one linear direction. You can call them motion control devices that allow movement only in linear direction as opposed to rotary motion, which is observed in an electric motor.
Based on its functions, features, and area of operation, a linear actuator can be divided into many different types viz.
Mechanical actuators- this group of actuators works on the simple principle of converting rotary motion to linear motion through the use of various mechanisms like the screw (where the actuator’s nut is rotated to make the screw shaft move in a line), wheel and axle (where a device like drum, pulley or a shaft is rotated to make a linear member like cable, rack, chain or belt moves) and cam actuators (where the devices work on a principle similar to that of the wedge, but provide relatively limited travel).
Hydraulic actuators- as the name indicate this type of linear actuator is operated with the help of a hydraulic pump. Typical examples are the hydraulic jacks used in cars (though they are manually operated hydraulic actuators).
Pneumatic actuators- these actuators use compressed gas to achieve linear motion control in various industrial units. They are similar to the hydraulic actuators, but do not use liquid like them.
Piezoelectric actuators- these group of linear actuators work on the principle of the piezoelectric effect, wherein high voltages are applied to few devices to make them expand. In the case of these actuators, you can be assured of getting fine positioning resolution. However, they are not without their limitations, as you can move them in very short range of motions, and even expansions cannot be achieved repeatedly.
Electro-mechanical actuators- these ones are controlled with the help of an electric motor. In this linear actuator variety, the rotary motion is converted to linear displacement of the actuator. However, it needs to be mentioned here that different manufacturing companies use different methods to make these actuators.
Linear motors – the linear motor is the easiest to operate, as it does not need an external force to convert rotary motion to linear motion. It is already moves in a linear fashion. Another advantage of using these linear actuators is that they can be used even in the harshest of work environment.
Telescoping linear actuator- this is the last but not the least in linear motion control devices. It is used in places where there are space restrictions, as it comes in concentric tubes of approximately equal length that extend and retract like sleeves, one inside the other just like the telescopic cylinder.
All the linear actuator types mentioned above have their advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for specific industry sectors, so use them wisely and accordingly.
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Author Resource:-
PI is well known throughout the high-tech world as a leader in design and manufacture of motion control products, linear actuators, piezo ceramics and nanoactuators, hexapod 6DOF positioning systems, linear motor and micro robots.
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By :
nathan syngrem
Submitted
2011-08-04 21:55:45 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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