Updated August 2017 || Linear actuators come in myriad configurations to suit almost any application, environment or industry. They’re primarily categorized by their drive mechanism; then manufacturers use other features such as the type of guide and housing to further differentiate them. Below is an explanation of the most common linear actuator categories. Belt-driven and […]
Pneumatic cylinders
Linear actuators: Pneumatic or electric?
Updated May 2018 || Electrons or air molecules? That’s not a question you hear very often, but it’s one that engineers and designers wrestle with when developing a new machine or process. That’s because a wide range of linear actuators, especially rod-type versions, are available either electrically driven or pneumatically driven. The choice of which […]
New technologies for linear motion: Forgiving linear encoders and more
From nanometer resolution to high-force actuation, components for linear motion systems are changing with the times. Linear motion components such as encoders and actuators are evolving to meet the demands of new applications and industries. New demand in areas like medical devices, for instance, calls for more nimble, smaller components adaptable to new environments and […]
New economical linear slide from PHD
Built on the foundation of long-life products for industrial automation, PHD Optimax actuators are designed to meet machine builders’ performance requirements at a competitive prices. These economical, efficient, and reliable actuators provide an alternative choice to PHD’s standard “built-to-order” product line, delivering even more cost-effective solutions to meet industrial application needs. In a continuing effort […]
A selection guide for linear systems
Gone are the days when machine designers and builders had to choose between constructing their own linear system from scratch or settling for a limited range of pre-assembled systems that, in most cases, were an imperfect fit for their application. Manufacturers today offer systems based on a range of drive mechanisms—ball screws, belts, rack and pinions, linear motors, […]
Electric actuators vs. pneumatic cylinders: Total cost of ownership
by Aaron Dietrich, Tolomatic Calculate product yield and utility and maintenance costs for a technology’s service life, and do it early in the process of specifying equipment. Pneumatic-cylinder actuators are durable with low initial cost, so have been a staple in factory automation equipment for decades. They are simple, easy to maintain and provide reasonable […]
