Linear actuators are a type of actuator that converts rotational motion to linear motion and are better suited for long-stroke applications. They are used primarily in industrial applications and consumer products like interior car systems. In this article, we will go over some of the main reasons why actuators can have a high price on the market.
Table of Contents
1. Low-Duty Cycle
The motor is the most expensive part of a linear actuator, but it is not the only thing that affects its price. The motor uses power to move the lead screw, which moves the moving masses and performs work. If you want to keep this sequence of events simple, it can be represented as a closed electrical circuit. There are two primary components of linear actuators: the motor and the moving masses. If a linear actuator is used to move an object at a speed below the speed of sound, then it only needs to be accelerated once, so there is no need for any additional power beyond what it takes to accelerate the actuation device.
2. Stroke Length
A linear actuator typically has a stroke length equal to the displacement of the moving part. If the linear actuator is used to move an object at a speed above the speed of sound, then this displacement must be linearly increased. The stroke length is typically selected based on the device’s maximum acceleration (acceleration), which can be described by its maximum speed, which determines the maximum force that can be applied. The more mass being moved around, the more power the motor will use up to accelerate all of this mass. Large linear actuators will also experience large amounts of frictional forces and losses due to air resistance while they move. These factors can all increase power consumption resulting in higher costs due to wasted energy and materials.
3. Operational Temperature
The operational temperature of the device is also an important factor to consider. The electric motors typically used in linear actuators are designed to operate at a specific temperature. If the device is used outside of this temperature range, then this can increase power consumption, possibly causing the motor to burn out or stop working altogether. Linear Actuators are relatively new in terms of technology. They have advanced slowly over the past few years, but it has not been near as fast as regular rotational actuators. Nevertheless, linear actuators are now used in everything from industrial robots to consumer products.
4. Lead Screw Design
The lead screw is the most expensive part of the linear actuator design. This is because it has to be strong enough to resist forces from the turning part and precise enough to produce precise movement of the moving masses. Therefore, it leads to higher costs for the metal and precision components used in this design part.
5. Complexity
Some linear actuators are made up of simple structures like gears, slides, and pistons. These can be manufactured cheaply. The moving masses are often connected through rods, which connect them to the motor driving them in a controlled fashion. These two systems can work together to create complex movements. This can be either because the components are more expensive or because many components are required to complete the device.
The Bottom Line
Linear actuators can move objects very quickly and efficiently because they can use small amounts of power to produce large forces. This can result in expensive linear actuators due to their complexity and low power consumption, but this typically has more to do with the current state of the art than anything else.
Actuators electric are used in almost every linear actuator system because they allow for very powerful and fast linear motion but require much more significant amounts of power. It can reduce overall power consumption and lead to a lower price than an electric-powered system, but at the cost of increased complexity and reduced controllability.
The higher costs associated with linear actuators correlate directly to the components they contain. The most significant factor affecting cost is the motor, which controls how much power is used up by the device to complete a particular movement. A linear actuator can use less power than an electric motor at equal speeds due to its controlled nature.