Gardener's Yards All About Gardening A linear electric actuator is a tool that builds motion on a straight line. You can utilize the actuators in garden machines and tools and other places where you require linear motion.
Different mechanisms create liner motion like pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders from a rotating motor. The tool is a high technology device that can convert a rotating motion with a low voltage into a linear pull or push movement.
Linear actuators are the best solution when what you need is a safe, clean, and straightforward movement with smooth control.
It is a perfect fit for different types of applications where pulling, lifting, pushing, or tilting with thrusts.
There are lots of linear electric actuators on the market. Selecting the right tool can be very difficult for a newbie or choosing the perfect tool for your first exercise. The below guide will explain and give you a general understanding of the actuators and how to make the right selection.
The Comparison
There are different types of electric linear actuators on the market, and choosing one for your first project can be difficult. The table below displays the best linear electric actuators in different sizes with outstanding features and great ability to handle your projects with ease and with efficiency.
Product | Maximum Force | Input voltage | Weight |
35 lbs | 12 Volt | 2.25 pounds | |
2000 lbs | 12 Volt | 14.55 pounds | |
55lbs | 12 Volt | 1.1 pound | |
2000 lbs | 12 Volt | 17.45 pounds | |
22Lbs | 12 Volt | 1.00 pounds | |
4.4 lbs | 12 Volt | 2.08 ounces |
Recommended Products
Now that you know what to consider in an electric linear actuator before you purchase one for your exercise. The explanation below shows the best linear actuator features and gives excellent insights into the device.
The overall best: Mini Linear Electric Actuator 12V
“Straightforward to use, offers excellent performance, and comes with hidden television lifts.”
The best for agriculture: Progressive Automations Industrial Linear Actuator
“Can handle large amounts of force, has a compact size, easy to use, and long-lasting.”
The best for commercial use: SOViK 6″ 6-inch Stroke Small Linear Actuator
“Easy to use, comes with an innovative inline design, and can use in different conditions.”
The best for heavy-duty: 12V High Force Linear Actuator
“Compact design can lift a large amount of force, durable and usable in various conditions.”
The best for beginners: SOViK 4″ 4-inch Stroke Micro Linear Actuator
“Operate smoothly and quickly, has an inline design, and 4-inch stroke Length.”
The best for professionals: Morai Motion Micro Linear Actuator
“Can move and adjust applications, has a compact design, and can use in industries.”
The Best Linear Electric Actuators 2020 – Extensive Review
There are lots of actuators that you can utilize for your motion-building exercises either outdoors or indoors. However, finding the perfect device for your tasks can be a difficult task, but you now know the things to watch out for before you buy one. Here are my best linear electric actuators:
Mini Linear Electric Actuator 12v
The device is a compact and small unit that can lift low to medium forces, and its small size makes it perfect for exercises that do not have lots of space.
You will find the device used in automotive, marine, home automation, and robotics.
You can also utilize the tool with rockers, control boxes, mounting brackets, and rockers switches and for apps that have limited space and utilizes light loads.
The device comes with a 12V power, and you can utilize it on automobiles and vehicle automation. The machine can generally enhance speed, load capacity, and mechanical efficiency.
You can utilize the machine in seat adjustments, steering wheel, tilting trailer, hood lifting and in an automobile mounted arrow board and also comes with an in-built limit switch to avoid burnout of the motor and add components like the dock lift, marine linear ad automotive linear actuator that gets its power source from a small DC motor.
The motor load output comes from gears and screw drives. If you want to use the device for a much larger load, then you should add more motor length to it.
The electromechanical motion is what you want to use to get a more significant force. The machine has a load force that reaches 3000N even if you utilize a limited installation.
The machine comes with a waterproof, which safeguards the device from dust and water, which makes it an ideal choice in harsh conditions.
You can also use the device for heavy-duty projects because it has a strong build and does not need maintenance and function properly in all conditions.
Key Features
- It comes with an in-built limit switch at endpoints
- It has a dustproof and waterproof
- It has a small and compact unit
- It comes with a 12-volt motor
Product Specifications
Brand | Progressive Automations |
Model number | PA-14-9-35 |
Weight | 2.25 pounds |
Color | Silver |
Warranty | 18 Months |
Pros:
- It does not require programming.
- It does not need maintenance
- It is fast and easy to use
- It can create motions in little space
- You can use it for heavy-duty projects
- It can function appropriately in all types of conditions
Cons:
- It only has 18 months warranty
Watch the video review of the Mini Linear Electric Actuator 12V here:
What We Liked About This Product
A machine is a compact unit that lifts low to medium forces and perfect for exercises that do not have lots of space because of its size.
You can use the machine with rockers, control boxes, mounting brackets and rockers switches, and for apps with limited space and uses light loads. The machine comes with a waterproof that prevents the device from water and dust and can function in any condition.
Progressive Automations Industrial Linear Actuator
It is a long-lasting and heavy-duty machine that can lift a large amount of force, which makes it an ideal device to use in manufacturing, automotive, home automation, and marine.
It also functions with control boxes, mounting brackets, and rocker switches.
The machine provides greater force and power that comes in the form of an actuator. You can also use the device in engineering and industrial apps and life a large number of pounds with ease.
The unit of the device can produce a large amount of force that can reach a maximum of 2,000lbs, and sizes of its strokes can range from 1″-24.”
The device speed is at 0.33″/sec and 0.66″/sec, making it a long-lasting and reliable automation solution.
You can also use the machine in the agriculture and construction as well as in high-force applications. It can lift heavy loads, and you can use it anywhere in any condition because of its distinctive abilities and amazing features.
Key Features
- It comes with a small diameter shaft housing
- It can reach a force maximum of 2,000lbs
- It has a stroke range of 1″-24
- It comes with an actuator rod
Product Specifications
Brand | PROGRESSIVE AUTOMATIONS |
Model number | PA-17-12-2000 |
Weight | 14.55 pounds |
Color | Black |
Warranty | One year |
Pros:
- It is a long-lasting device.
- It can lift a large amount of force
- It is fast and easy to use
- It can produce a large amount of force
- You can use it in any weather condition
- It functions properly for heavy-duty projects
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey
Learn how to use the Progressive Automations Industrial Linear Actuator here:
What We Liked About This Product
It is a durable and heavy-duty machine that lifts a large amount of force and ideal to use in manufacturing, automotive, home automation, and marine.
You can also use the device with control boxes, mounting brackets, and rocker switches. It can lift heavy loads and perfect to anywhere in any weather condition because of its great abilities and outstanding attributes. It is one of the best linear electric linear that you can use for agriculture.
Sovik 6″ 6-inch Stroke Small Linear Actuator
The machine has an actuator rod and small diameter shaft housing that creates a perfect unit for apps with limited space.
There are lots of industries like robotics, automotive, and home automation that utilizes the inline motor design.
You can set up the machine by connecting the machine wires to a 12-volt battery, and you should connect the red wire to the positive terminal while the black wire goes to the negative terminal and that will ensure that the actuator extends, but you can also make it retract by reversing the connections of the terminal.
Sometimes the machine might not function after the first connection. If that is the case, what you have to do is to exchange the location where you connected the two wires, and it will start functioning. You can also use a reverse polarity switch for the machine.
Anytime you want the machine to reverse or extend, you should tap the switch, and the machine will hold its position anytime the machine goes off.
It stops when it gets to an end because the machine comes with an in-built limit switch. It is also straightforward to install and can connect easily with control systems.
Key Features
- It has an actuator rod
- It has a small diameter shaft housing
- It has an inline motor design
- It utilizes the reverse and extends functions
Product Specifications
Brand | SOViK |
Model number | S100-150-12-25 |
Weight | 12.8 ounces |
Color | Silver |
Warranty | One year |
Pros:
- It produces a large amount of force.
- It is a long-lasting device
- It is fast and straightforward to use
- It comes with an in-built limit switch
- You can use reverse or extend polarity for the device
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey
Watch the introduction of the SOViK 6″ 6-inch Stroke Small Linear Actuator here:
What We Liked About This Product
The machine comes with a small diameter shaft housing that creates an ideal unit for apps with limited space. Lots of industries like robotics, automotive, and home automation utilizes the device inline motor design and also comes with reverse and extend polarity.
Whenever you want the machine to reverse or extend, what you need to do is to tap the switch, and the machine will hold its position when it goes off.
12v High Force Linear Actuator
It is a heavy-duty machine that can lift a large amount of force. It is a long-lasting device that you can use for high-force apps, which makes the device famous in the manufacturing and automotive industry and also hobby design and industrial equipment.
You can also use the device with control boxes, mounting brackets, and rocker switches.
The machine functions by changing the energy created by electric motors into torque that can move a mechanism. You can manage the control system of the machine electrically, mechanically, manually, or with software.
The device duty cycle determines the time that the machine can run before you need to let it cool off. Anytime you exceed the duty cycle, you can lose power, it can cause overheating a possible motor burnout. The machine can also replace the pneumatic systems with the machine because if it’s a high efficiency, noise reduction, and energy-saving ability.
The device offers great power and durable for apps that need versatility and dynamic linear motion. It also has one of the best units that can function properly in harsh conditions.
It also has a steel shaft and metal gears that can pull about 2000 lbs.
The device also has a versatile and robust unit that can stand water and dust and also consist of limit switches that you can adjust for full control of where you want to start or stop the machine.
You can also utilize the device in lots of applications, which includes lifting a marine hatch to a boat or in industrial environments. You can use it in modern forage harvesters.
Key Features
- It comes with a powerful force
- It comes with limit switches that you can adjust
- You can use it with various applications
- It can function with high-force apps
- It minimizes assembly costs
Product Specifications
Brand | Progressive Automations |
Model number | PA-17-22-2000 |
Weight | 17.45 pounds |
Color | Black |
Warranty | One year |
Pros:
- It is a long-lasting device.
- You can use it with control boxes
- It is fast and easy to use
- It increases machine productivity
- It requires less maintenance
- It is water and dust resistance
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey
Watch the video to learn the basic concept of the 12V High Force Linear Actuator here:
What We Liked About This Product
It is a device that lifts large amounts of force. It is long-lasting and function appropriately for high-force apps and also hobby design and industrial equipment.
The device works by changing the energy developed by electric motors into torque to move mechanisms. The control system of the device is easy to manage electrically, mechanically, manually, or with software.
Sovik 4″ 4-inch Stroke Micro Linear Actuator
The machine has a rod and a small diameter shaft housing that creates a unit for apps without adequate space. Lots of industries utilize the device like the robotics and automotive industries as well as the home automation advantage that comes with its innovative inline motor design.
The device consists of top quality aluminum alloy housing and straightforward to utilize and install, it is light in weight and can function in different types of conditions like air venting opening, remote mirror positioning, control, and lots more.
It comes with an in-built limit switch and stops when it gets to the end. You can also use the device for applications that need little space for installation and light push force, which you can find in home automation and automotive.
The machine offers outstanding performance, sensitive and active stable running, and the push and pulls function.
Other industries like mine, chemical industry, lifting, food, construction, feed processing, electric power, metallurgy, machinery, and lots more also utilize the device.
Key Features
- It comes with a 4-inch stroke Length
- It comes with an outstanding inline design
- You can hold the device anywhere
- It comes with one set of mounting brackets
- It comes with an in-built limit switch
Product Specifications
Brand | SOViK |
Model number | S100-100-12-10 |
Weight | 15.2 ounces |
Color | Silver |
Warranty | One year |
Pros:
- It has a powerful unit for applications.
- It is a long-lasting device
- It is straightforward and fast to use
- It is light in weight
- It offers outstanding performance
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey
Watch a video explanation of the SOViK 4″ 4-inch Stroke Micro Linear Actuator here:
What We Liked About This Product
The machine comes with a small diameter shaft housing that develops a great unit for apps without enough space.
You can use the device in industries like robotics and automotive industries as well as the home automation advantage that comes with its innovative inline motor design. You can also use the device for applications that need a small installation space.
Morai Motion Micro Linear Actuator
The machine is a quiet one and easy to install in different types of environments without the fear of damage from dust or water. You can use the device easily in the office, at home, on the yacht, in vehicles, aircraft, and so on. You will find the device in micro or mini for motion control in small places.
The device comes in different sizes, speed, and force. You can use the mini device to build custom automation in vehicles, homes, yachts, businesses, aircraft, multi-copter drones, robotics, and lots more.
The machine functions on low noise volume and does not affect the design general effect and easy to install in different types of environments without the fear of water damage.
The device comes with an in-built limit switch with stall safety measures, which makes it straightforward to set up and install immediately. It can also create motion in small spaces with the inclusion of little weight. The machine stops when it reaches its destination and does not require any programming.
The device is dust and waterproof, which makes it useful in different types of conditions and applications. You should test the device to the point of breaking before you purchase and ensure that you select a long-lasting quality.
Key Features
- It comes in a powerful inline design
- It has a diameter of 16mm
- It has a 60mm stroke lengths
- It is easy to install
Product Specifications
Brand | Morai Motion |
Model number | ICL12V-51-1 |
Weight | 2.12 ounces |
Color | Black |
Pros:
- It is light in weight with a slender dimension
- It is a long-lasting device
- It is fast and straightforward to use
- It functions with low noise
Cons:
- It only has a load capacity of 4.40 pounds
Watch the Morai Motion Micro Linear Actuator video review here:
What We Liked About This Product
It is a quiet and straightforward device that is easy to install in different types of conditions without damage from dust or water.
You can use the device in the office, home, vehicles, and aircraft, and so on. It has an in-built limit switch with safety measures for easy setup and immediate installation.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Any Linear Electric Actuators
Nobody else will understand your needs for an electric linear actuator better than you do, but you will find lots of ready-made actuators on the market today, or you can decide to assemble one. The device provides solutions to different challenges to any drive elements.
Below are the factors to consider anytime you are on the lookout for an electric linear actuator.
Linear speed
The first factor to check is the speed of the device, and the tool comes in different sizes, which can be small or large.
You will find the tool with a specific linear speed. Some ball screw based actuators do not have critical speeds. You can also utilize the tool with a different and excellent linear speed to lift or move anything, which makes the speed the most important factor to consider.
Stroke
Another important thing to watch is the stroke, which is a likely displacement of an actuator. You will find it in positive or negative excursions from a central null position.
You should select actuators. The stroke micrometer range from ±1 to ±10. Short stroke actuators function excellently, and you can measure the stroke in mm with ranges from 120 mm to 1560 mm based on the app designed for the device.
Push/pull force
The machine changes rotary motion into linear displacement using screws and gears.
The push/pull force determines the machine performance broadly and also defines the machine capability and power of the device for its application. You will find the device with a push/pull force of 10-270g.
Service factor
It determines the measurement of the capacity of the actuators because overload capacity can damage the machine, which is the reason why you have to check the service factor before you purchase it.
Although you should know that actuators with service factors do not have a long life span compared to actuators without service factors.
Buckling limits
Anytime the device fails suddenly while on high compressive stress, it is the buckling limits of the device.
However, the failure can also happen because of an elastic instability, so you should always check it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mini Linear Electric Actuator 12V rated for wet locations?
The machine has a rating of IP-54. You should not use it inside the rain or at wet locations. Although, you should know that the machine rating makes it suitable enough to function properly in outdoor conditions.
Can the Progressive Automations Industrial Linear Actuator work to pivot an ATV plow?
You only need to change the angle on the snow blade. It functions appropriately for that purpose and even hit large and solid hills of snow. If the machine goes too fast, you should purchase a pulse width modulator to reduce the race.
What should I purchase for a switch and power supply for the SOViK 6″ 6-inch Stroke Small Linear Actuator? I want to be able to retract and extend.
You need to purchase a reverse polarity switch and a power adapter to drive the machine because of the machine input voltage, which is 12V DC.
Conclusion
For beginners into the linear electric actuators world, I will recommend the SOViK 4″ 4-inch stroke micro linear actuator for your motion building and other little exercises.
The device operates smoothly and quickly. It has an inline design and 4-inch stroke Length. It consists of top-quality aluminum alloy housing and easy to install and use as well as light in weight.
But for the professionals, and I would recommend the Morai motion micro Linear Actuator. The tool can move and adjust applications, has a compact design, and can use in industries. The machine functions quietly and easy to install in different environments without damage from dust or water.
If you are having problems with the actuator selection or wondering which device will be the best for your tasks, you must find the right tool for that task. All of the linear electric actuators on this list have great features, long-lasting and easy to use.
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