How To

In your search for the proper actuator, you might be wondering what duty cycle is and how it affects your application. When selecting an actuator, the duty cycle becomes important when you risk running the actuator beyond its expected operation. What is an Actuator and Duty Cycle? Duty cycle is the ratio of on-time to off-time, usually expressed as a percentage. This means if your actuator extends and retracts for 20 seconds, and then spends a...

While putting together your home automation project, you may have come across a problem. The stroke is too long or too short for the application. Before you return the device to your manufacturer for an exchange, here are a few options that you can try. Too Long If your actuator extends past the length you need, there are a few different things you can try. This all depends on how far over the limit it’s going. Limit Switches You can try pur...

Linear actuators are mechanical devices that have proven beneficial in home automation and design. Many designers have used actuators in residential and industrial applications to make home and business life easier. Depending upon the force requirements of the project, heavy-duty actuators or mini actuators may be used. Most projects related to garage door automation or swing gates will require the use of heavy-duty actuators because of the f...

Proper actuator installation is key for the best performance.If your linear actuator has been installed correctly, it'll perform better over time and live through its complete life cycle. Use our tips as a checklist before you turn on your project. The risks of improper actuator installation mean two things. First, your actuator may not perform the way you want it to. It may not have enough room, it could bind, or it could stop working altoget...

Actuators come in a variety of speeds. When you want to change the speed of, it's more than just a matter of making the gears go faster. Here's everything you need to know about the speed of the actuator you're buying. Actuation with a Twist Any lead screw creates motion through the rotation. The motor turns the gears, the gears turn the screw, and the screw moves the nut along the shaft. How fast or slow comes down to the pitch. There are als...

You may have heard these two terms being thrown around in your linear actuator research, but do you really know exactly what each one is, the differences and the advantages of each? Ball screws and lead screws are used for different applications, they are oftentimes not interchangeable and have alternate advantages and disadvantages. The Main Difference for Automated Systems If you compare a ball screw and lead screw design yourself, the first...