Linear Actuators

Linear Actuators

A linear actuator is a mechanical device that integrates a linear guide with a drive mechanism (such as a screw, belt, or piston) and a power source to convert rotary or fluid power into controlled straight-line motion, enabling precise positioning of loads. They are typically classified as pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or mechanical, with electric and mechanical designs increasingly favored for their higher positioning accuracy, repeatability, cleanliness, and ease of system integration. At PBC Linear, our engineers specialize in mechanical and electric linear actuators, building them around high-performance drive systems such as ball screws, lead screws, and belt drives, in both NEMA motor-driven and hand-crank assemblies.

Belt-driven actuators support long strokes and high speeds with minimal maintenance; ball screw-driven designs provide high accuracy and load capacity for demanding positioning; and lead screw-driven actuators offer a cost-effective, quiet solution with options such as anti-backlash nuts for improved repeatability. These systems are available in a wide range of configurations, including multiple screw diameters, lead sizes, NEMA frame options, and actuator lengths to meet specific force, speed, and travel requirements. Carriage guidance is provided by either self-lubricating Gliding Surface Technology for low-maintenance operation in harsh environments such as with dirt, heat and vibration, or ball bearing profile rails for higher moment capacity and cantilevered loads. Together these configurations span applications from miniature to heavy-duty systems, supporting loads up to 83,400 N (18,750 lb) and strokes up to 6,000mm (236 in).

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Linear Actuators

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188 products
Miniature linear ball screw actuator with a screw diameter of 8mm, a lead of 2.5mm and a length of 250mm. Includes a NEMA 17 single stack motor and a flanged nut, it’s tailored for applications where space is at a premium but precision cannot be compromised. The assembly is delivered..
$293.98
Lead Screw Driven Linear Actuator including a NEMA 17 motor. This actuator utilizes a Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) carriage with a self-lubricating FrelonGold® underliner on a 140mm length rail with a tall profile. It features a 2mm screw lead and an anti-backlash screw nut. GST carriage with self-lubricating FrelonGold® liner..
$789.83
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 6,300mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage guided by a single recirculating ball profile rail with two runner blocks for high-speed, long-travel linear motion. This MTB Series actuator is engineered for medium payload applications and uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with..
$9,342.32
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 2250mm body length, 42mm x 42mm base profile, and one carriage guided by a single recirculating ball profile rail with two runner blocks for high-speed linear motion. This MTB Series actuator is engineered for lighter to medium payload applications and uses a steel-reinforced timing belt..
$3,267.05
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm body length, 42mm x 42mm base profile, and one carriage guided by a single recirculating ball profile rail with two runner blocks. This MTB Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 12mm left male drive shaft for motor or..
$2,149.79
Lead Screw Linear Actuator with a 16mm screw diameter, 1mm lead, and 300mm length, featuring a Round Anti-Backlash Nut and a NEMA 23 Single Stack Motor (56mm), pairing a quality screw made of stainless steel with a PTFE coating to minimize friction and prevent flaking with an innovative Anti-Backlash Nut..
$228.17
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 200mm long, 6mm screw diameter with a NEMA 14 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 1mm lead, and the screw is made from precision-rolled 300 Series Stainless Steel and coated with PTFE to prevent flaking. The Round Constant Force™ Anti-Backlash nut uses a spring to maintain uniform..
$191.99
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 2500mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the left side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$7,075.96
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the left side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$4,114.96
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 500mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the left side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$3,127.96
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 4000mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the left side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$7,408.00
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the left side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$3,029.50
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 250mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two recirculating ball profile rail guides: one internal guide and one external guide mounted on the right side. This MTE Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$1,934.88
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 2500mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for maximum rigidity and load support within the MT actuator family. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a..
$6,965.26
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for high rigidity and load support. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 16mm female drive shaft for..
$4,051.51
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 500mm body length, 80mm x 80mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for high rigidity and load support. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 16mm female drive shaft for..
$3,080.26
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 4000mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for high rigidity and load support. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 16mm left male drive shaft..
$7,300.57
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for high rigidity and load support. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 12mm female drive shaft for..
$2,985.07
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 250mm body length, 55mm x 55mm base profile, and one carriage supported by two external recirculating ball profile rail guides for high rigidity and load support. This MTS Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 16mm left male drive shaft..
$1,906.19
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 2,250mm body length, 105mm x 105mm base profile, and one carriage guided by a single recirculating ball profile rail with two runner blocks for high-speed linear motion. This MTB Series actuator uses a steel-reinforced timing belt with adjustable tensioning and a 25mm left male drive..
$7,677.06
188 products

Linear Actuators

188 products
Linear Actuators Overview

A linear actuator is a mechanical device that integrates a linear guide with a drive mechanism (such as a screw, belt, or piston) and a power source to convert rotary or fluid power into controlled straight-line motion, enabling precise positioning of loads. They are typically classified as pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or mechanical, with electric and mechanical designs increasingly favored for their higher positioning accuracy, repeatability, cleanliness, and ease of system integration. At PBC Linear, our engineers specialize in mechanical and electric linear actuators, building them around high-performance drive systems such as ball screws, lead screws, and belt drives, in both NEMA motor-driven and hand-crank assemblies.

Belt-driven actuators support long strokes and high speeds with minimal maintenance; ball screw-driven designs provide high accuracy and load capacity for demanding positioning; and lead screw-driven actuators offer a cost-effective, quiet solution with options such as anti-backlash nuts for improved repeatability. These systems are available in a wide range of configurations, including multiple screw diameters, lead sizes, NEMA frame options, and actuator lengths to meet specific force, speed, and travel requirements. Carriage guidance is provided by either self-lubricating Gliding Surface Technology for low-maintenance operation in harsh environments such as with dirt, heat and vibration, or ball bearing profile rails for higher moment capacity and cantilevered loads. Together these configurations span applications from miniature to heavy-duty systems, supporting loads up to 83,400 N (18,750 lb) and strokes up to 6,000mm (236 in).

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a linear actuator?
A linear actuator is a device that produces controlled straight-line motion by converting rotational or input force into linear movement. It is commonly used in automation, machinery, and positioning systems to move or position loads.
How does a linear actuator work?
A linear actuator works by converting motion from a motor, screw, or belt drive into linear movement. As the drive mechanism rotates or moves, it advances a carriage or rod along a guided path to produce controlled motion.
What are the main types of linear actuators?
The main types of linear actuators are electric, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic. Electric and mechanical actuators are often preferred for their precision, cleanliness, and ease of integration, while pneumatic and hydraulic actuators are typically used for higher force applications.
What is the difference between a lead screw and a ball screw actuator?
Lead screw actuators use sliding contact between the screw and nut, making them quieter and more cost-effective, while ball screw actuators use rolling elements to reduce friction, providing higher efficiency, accuracy, and load capacity.
What is the difference between belt-driven and screw-driven actuators?
Belt-driven actuators are designed for long travel distances and higher speeds with lower cost and maintenance, while screw-driven actuators provide greater accuracy, stiffness, and load capacity for precise positioning applications.
When should a linear actuator be used instead of a cylinder?
Linear actuators are preferred when precise positioning, repeatability, and controlled motion are required, while pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are typically used for simple extension and retraction with higher force but less control.
Do linear actuators require maintenance?
Maintenance depends on the design. Screw-driven actuators may require periodic lubrication, while some systems use self-lubricating materials or low-maintenance designs to reduce service requirements.
What factors should be considered when selecting a linear actuator?
Key factors include load capacity, speed, stroke length, required precision, environmental conditions, mounting configuration, and the type of drive mechanism used.
What provides guidance in a linear actuator?
Guidance in a linear actuator is provided by linear bearings or guide systems that support the carriage and maintain alignment. These may include sliding-contact guides for low maintenance or rolling-element guides for higher load and rigidity.
What are linear actuators used for?
Linear actuators are used in applications such as automation, material handling, packaging equipment, medical devices, and positioning systems where controlled linear motion is required.