Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19

How to Choose a Linear Actuator

By Sponsored Content | December 1, 2020

Share

By Thomas Urbach, Head of Digital Sales & Marketing for drylin®

Screw-driven or belt-driven linear actuator?

Linear actuators are an important element in automation and mechanical engineering and help with a variety of tasks, from simple to extremely complex ones. Picking the right one is very important, since linear actuators and linear slides can be driven in a wide variety of ways.

Lead screw-driven actuators—for high accuracy

If a lower speed, yet a high level of accuracy, is required, linear actuators with trapezoidal threads are usually a good option. The linear axes with lead screw drives are also great options for high axial thrust forces. Due to the critical speed limit for lead screws, the travel path (max. 1,500 mm/5 feet), the speed, and thus the speed of the lead screw, are severely limited. The recommended speed limit depends on the lead screw diameter.

With our dryspin® high helix thread, accuracy and medium speeds can be combined due to the special thread pitch; however, a maximum travel distance of 1,000 mm/39 inches must be observed.

When should I choose a lead screw-driven linear actuator?

  • For format adjustments
  • In extreme environments (heat, cold)
  • When corrosion resistance is required
  • When it needs to be low-noise
  • For shorter travels up to 1.5 meters or 5 feet
  • For low to medium speed with high accuracy

Structure of a linear axis with spindle drive

Linear axis with spindle drive

  1. Grease-free due to plastic bearings and plastic nuts
  2. Shaft material (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon)
  3. 8 trapezoidal thread pitches, 4 high helix thread pitches
  4. Base body made of stainless steel, aluminum, zinc or plastic
  5. Spindle machining according to drawing or spindle journal
  6. Accessories available

To learn more about lead screw driven actuators, click here.

Belt-driven linear actuators—when things have to go fast

Belt drive linear actuators are particularly suitable for fast positioning and handling tasks. Long travels up to 3,000mm/9.8ft at high speeds are ideal requirements for this linear actuator.

When do I choose a belt-driven linear actuator?

  • When high speeds are required
  • For travels up to 3 meters/9.8 feet
  • If the structure should be particularly flat
  • If positioning accuracy may be > 0.1mm

Structure of a belt-driven linear actuator

Linear axis with toothed belt drive

  1. Deflection with deep groove ball bearings
  2. Grease-free linear guide with plastic plain bearings
  3. Various sled lengths
  4. Polyurethane (PU) or neoprene timing belts
  5. Hard anodized aluminum

For more information on belt driven linear actuators, click here.

If cost is the number one concern, we have the perfect series

With the drylin ECON series, you can save over 30% on costs while still improving the technology of your linear assembly at the same time.

Sponsored content by igus

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Configuration Management: Configuration Integrity IS A Core Driver for Business Success
  • How to Choose a Linear Actuator
  • Create your perfect machine with Advanced Engineering
  • How a ME/EE turned passion for design into his own bike company
  • Everyone Can Save on Cable Costs. Here’s How
  • How and Why You Should Use a Wave Spring for Bearing Preload
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more