Actuators

What Is An Actuator? Types Of Actuators And How They Work

What Is An Actuator?

An actuator is a device that makes something move or operate. It receives a source of energy and uses it to move something. A typical use of an actuator is to control various valves such as ball valves or butterfly valves.

What Are The Benefits Of Actuators?

Actuators have many benefits that make them ideal for a variety of applications. Actuators can automate processes, remove people from dangerous situations, provide remote control, or make difficult/tedious/manual tasks easier. Additionally, actuators are designed for applications that require higher speed, higher loads, continuous duty cycle, precise positioning, and flexible integration in tight areas. Because of these benefits, actuators are best known for their use in electric cars and robots.

What Are The Different Types Of Actuators?

There are three types of actuators: linear, precision, and stepper motor.

  • Linear actuators come in a wide variety of shapes & sizes and are used in many different types of equipment. The most common type of linear actuator is the rodless linear actuator.
  • Precision linear actuators are designed for applications that require higher speed, higher loads, continuous duty cycle, precise positioning and flexible integration in tight areas.
  • Stepper motor linear actuators combine a hybrid stepper motor and a precision lead screw in one compact envelope, suiting applications where external guidance or a high level of design flexibility is required.

In our range, available through our New Zealand-based warehouses, we also stock Wittenstien’s range of servo actuators which are designed to be more productive, efficient and precise than other alternatives.

More About Servo Actuators

Servo actuators are electric motors that move or control a mechanism with great precision. Servo Actuators also feature high power density, a low mass moment of inertia, high stiffness and low torsional backlash. They are used in aircraft & automobiles, robots & factory assembly lines, office machines and medical equipment. Servo actuators offer many advantages over traditional electric motors:

  • They are dynamic and compact. This means they can generate more power in a smaller space
  • Offer adequate length savings and increased performance
  • Require less space to install than traditional motors
  • Enable lower energy consumption
  • Have higher power density and system rigidity. This makes them more accurate than traditional motors
  • Are ideal for high-performance linear systems

How Do Actuators Work?

An actuator 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 the fast movement of lower loads.

What Are The Applications Of Actuators?

Actuators are used extensively in many different applications, such as:

  • To operate valves remotely
  • In the transportation industry (e.g. brakes and clutches)
  • In robotics and automation systems
  • In aerospace and defence applications

Contact Us About Actuators

Treotham Automation is one of New Zealand's leading suppliers of actuators for a variety of applications. Contact us online or call our Auckland or Hamilton warehouse for more information.