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How does a linear actuator work?

An electric linear actuator operates by receiving a power supply, which energises its internal electric motor. This motor converts rotational motion from electrical energy into linear movement.

Through the interaction of a lead screw or ball screw and a nut, the actuator transforms this rotational motion into linear displacement along its output shaft. This mechanism allows for precise control and positioning of the actuator in various applications.

Read more here: What is an actuator? 

Good to know

Reciprocating linear actuator is another term for a linear actuator.

 

Electric linear actuators with a wide range of specifications

At LINAK®, we design and manufacture a wide range of electric linear actuators tailored to fit your unique applications. Our actuators come in various speeds, stroke lengths, and capacities, from the compact inline LA20 to the robust LA36.

Our actuators are built to move loads from 40 kg to 1,500 kg (force from 400 N to 15,000 N) with a maximum linear actuator speed of up to 160 millimetres per second (mm/s). We offer the following voltage options for your needs:


All LINAK actuators can be customised to your specific requirements such as stroke length or if you need high force, ensuring the perfect solution for your application.

With four global manufacturing locations, we can build your custom actuator and ship it to you in a timely manner. Contact us to start building the electric linear actuator solution for your motion needs.

 

Business areas for electric linear actuators

Our actuators can be found anywhere, in homes, offices, hospitals, factories, farms, and much more. They bring movement to the office and to homes – adjustable desks, kitchen elements, beds, and couches.

In hospitals and medical centres, you will find LINAK linear actuators adding movement to hospital beds, patient lifts, surgery tables, and so much more. For industrial and harsh environments, electric linear actuators can replace hydraulic and pneumatic solutions found in:


Whether it is for precision in medical devices or robustness in industrial machinery, LINAK actuators deliver dependable performance across a wide range of applications.

 

Linear actuators for Industry, Farming and Marine

We know your industry requires robust and precise solutions, and that is why we have developed linear actuators that convert rotational motion into precise control, creating harmony between automation and machinery.

Some of our linear actuator solutions in farming include feeding automation, grain handling, balers, sprayers, and so much more. For industrial applications, LINAK linear actuators are built to meet your specific requirements.

Elderly farmer climbs the ladder to enter the operator cab of a big agricultural machine
 

Marine requirements desire a reliable adjustment solution that is robust and gentle. Here, LINAK actuators help yacht owners control everything from skylights, engine hatches, and braces to adjusting seats and bathing platforms.

No matter what your unique application requires, LINAK has you covered.

 

Linear actuators for Healthcare

With an increasing demand for elderly care and rising life expectancy, modern hospitals face the challenge of improving efficiency while enhancing patient care. LINAK bridges the gap between efficiency and technology with our advanced linear actuators.

Our actuators support various aspects of patient care, adding value and safety through Intelligent Care Solutions like Under Bed Lights, WET sensors, and Out of Bed sensors.

All LINAK electric actuator solutions go through an extensive regime of tests before release and are compliant with international medical standards. A linear actuator from LINAK can provide the safety and reliability you and your patients deserve and expect.

Elderly farmer climbs the ladder to enter the operator cab of a big agricultural machine
 
 

Linear actuators for Desks

The modern workplace requires modern solutions. There is an increasing global focus on ergonomics in the workplace, especially where employees sit or stand still most of the day. Here, height-adjustable desks and workstations are in focus because they allow better ergonomics and less fatigue in the workforce.

LINAK can provide Plug & Play for any workstation solution with smooth movement and low noise.

But there is more than just sit-stand desks. LINAK has a linear actuator for your unique solution. Need a column solution for media stands? Kitchen solutions? LINAK design has the freedom and stability for your needs. Whether it is a high-speed solution or columns for industrial machinery, LINAK has a linear actuator solution for you.

Woman adjusting her office desk with the intuitive desk control, colleagues in the background
 
 

Linear actuators for Comfort Furniture

There are numerous studies about how health is affected by sleep quality. Because of this, consumers are willing to invest in high-quality furniture for home-use.

A linear actuator from LINAK can help with a broad variety of products for your bed with reliable low-noise systems. Your consumer can adjust and tilt their home furniture to get the most comfort. Choosing LINAK actuators for your adjustable comfort bed shows that durability is your priority.

Smiling couple enjoying breakfast in their adjustable comfort bed
 
 

Accessories and advanced technology for electric linear actuators

Along with electric linear actuators and lifting columns, LINAK offers a wide range of linear actuator control options and accessories to increase efficiency and give users precision movement. Our control options include handsets, remotes, footswitches, desk control panels, computer software, mobile apps, and much more.

All our actuators and accessories are designed to be easily mounted and installed. Some even feature our Integrated Controller (IC) solutions, which are built on the well-known H-bridge technology. These provide various position feedback options, virtual limits, soft start and stop, current limitation, and adjustable speed. They also enable parallel movement and integrated BUS communication (LINAK offers CAN SAE J1939 and CANopen for actuator controls).

Electric linear actuators with advanced technology

 

LINAK: The most trusted electric linear actuator brand

We understand the importance of optimum performance for your linear actuator, and we recognise their critical role in delivering precise linear motion. To ensure this, we conduct a variety of tests that push the electric linear actuators to extremes guaranteeing optimum performance throughout their entire service life. Each LINAK actuator undergoes a full function test before leaving production, providing you with a product you can rely on for years to come.

Visit the page ‘Extensive testing—trust your industrial actuator’ to learn more about the tests our actuators undergo to measure their performance, durability, and resistance.

Across the world, LINAK specialists are available to find the perfect electric linear actuator solution for your application. Our highly experienced support team of Sales Managers, Research & Development Engineers, Application Engineers, and experts in Customer Service, Marketing, and Quality will work with you through each step of the order, installation, and performance optimisation process to ensure your solution is meeting your expectations.

For each of our solutions, you can find all the details you need on our website, including data sheets and manuals. To advance your product idea generation, we also have a 3D configurator that can help you render detailed images of your solutions.

Two people are analyzing linear actuators for their application requirements

To gain more insight into electric linear actuators and their capabilities, explore the LINAK Actuator Academy™. Take a deep dive into the workings of linear actuators and discover more about precise control through our extensive video library covering technology, components, and control options.

Frequently asked questions

What is an electric linear actuator?

A linear actuator is a device or machine that converts rotational motion into linear motion and linear movement (in a straight line). This can be done through electric AC and DC motors, as we do at LINAK, or the movement could be powered by hydraulics and pneumatics.

However, electric linear actuators are a preferred option when precise and clean movement is needed. They are used for all types of applications where tilting, lifting, pulling or pushing with force is needed.

LINAK business areas for electric linear actuators

How do linear actuators work?

A common type of linear actuator is an electric linear actuator. It is made up of three main components: spindle, motor and gears. The motor can be AC or DC depending on the power needs and other influencing factors.

Once a signal is sent by the operator, which can be through a control as simple as a button, the motor converts the electric energy into mechanical energy, rotating the gears connected to the spindle. This rotates the spindle and causes the spindle nut and piston rod to travel outwards or inwards depending on the signal to the actuator.

As a rule of thumb, a high thread count and smaller spindle pitch will cause slow movement but a much higher load capacity. On the other hand, a low thread count, and higher spindle pitch, will favour fast movement of lower loads.

 
Logo for Actuator Academy about actuator technology

Visit the Actuator Academy™
Explore the aspects of what makes an actuator ideal for use with industrial machinery and discover the technology behind it.

Welcome to the LINAK Actuator Academy™

 

What are the different types of electric linear actuators?

There are many types and sizes of electric linear actuators. From small and compact that fit into tight spaces, such as in wheelchairs, to large and powerful to move heavy items like a wheel loader engine hood. In addition to size and power, there are also many different designs of electric linear actuators.

The original design has a motor housing that is outside of the gear and spindle profile. But when space is limited, an inline actuator is used so that the motor only extends the shape of the profile. For desks and some medical applications, lifting columns are used for an inline motor housing with two and three-stage options.

Since the founder and CEO of LINAK, Bent Jensen, made his first electric linear actuator in 1979, the company has continued to develop new actuators and refine the innovative technology behind them to improve movement solutions for several industries.

LINAK designs and manufactures many types of linear actuators and lifting columns with various speeds, stroke lengths, and capacities. From the compact, inline LA20 to the robust LA36, LINAK actuators are built to fit almost any application.

With an almost endless list of customisation options to help design an actuator specifically to fit unique applications, the range of LINAK actuators is even greater than the vast product range listed.

Electric linear actuators LA20 inline, LA14 with low built-in dimensions, LA40 with quick release, heavy-duty LA36, and lifting columns LC3 and DL19 IC.

Why use an electric linear actuator?

Electric linear actuators increase efficiency and give users precision movement through a variety of control options and accessories. Control options for electric linear actuators include handsets, footswitches, desk controls, computer software, mobile apps and much more.

With no need for hoses, oils, or valves, electric linear actuators require no maintenance and create a safe environment for users. High-quality electric actuators are also put through a variety of tests that push the actuators to extremes. This is done to ensure optimal performance at any given time in any situation. They are also designed, along with their accessories, to be easily mounted and installed in a variety of applications,

making it easy for anyone to add precision movement where they need it. Being electric enables the addition of smart features like CAN bus (LINAK offers CAN SAE J1939 and CANopen for actuator controls). Integrated Controller (IC) solutions can provide various position feedback options, virtual limits, soft start and stop, current limitation, and adjustable speed.

What is an electric linear actuator used for?

Electric linear actuators are used in everything from private homes, the offices where we work, all areas of a hospitals, in production in factories, to farming equipment, and many other places. LINAK electric actuators create adjustment in both desks, kitchens, beds, and couches, as well as hospital beds, patient lifts, surgery tables among others in for example hospitals and medical centres.

Electric linear actuators can also replace hydraulic and pneumatic solutions in industrial and rugged environments – for example those found in agriculture, construction, and in industrial automation equipment.

LINAK business areas for electric linear actuators

Files

TECHLINE product overview

Explore the wide variety of tough and powerful TECHLINE products. Built to last, built for hard work and built for work in harsh environments.

DESKLINE product overview

If you make any kind of desk, table or counter that people work behind, a height adjustable electric actuator solution is the flexible way to gain a competitive edge and improve your business.

MEDLINE & CARELINE product overview

Dive into the wide variety of innovative MEDLINE & CARELINE products that can help you improve your hospital and healthcare equipment.

HOMELINE product overview

Explore the variety of HOMELINE systems and products for both adjustable beds and recliners.

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