Linear Actuators

Linear Actuators

A linear actuator is a mechanical device that combines a linear guide, drive mechanism, carriage-guidance system, and power source to produce controlled straight-line motion for moving or positioning a load. The drive mechanism—such as a ball screw, lead screw, belt, or fluid-powered piston—creates linear force, while the guidance system supports the carriage, controls its path, and resists side, moment, and cantilevered loads. Linear actuators are commonly classified as electric, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic; electric and mechanical designs are often selected for controlled positioning, repeatability, clean operation, and integration with automated machinery.

PBC Linear designs guided belt-driven and screw-driven actuators powered by NEMA motors or hand cranks. Belt-driven actuators support long strokes and high speeds with low maintenance. Ball screw actuators provide high efficiency, load capacity, and positioning accuracy, while lead screw actuators offer quieter, more cost-effective motion with anti-backlash options for improved repeatability. Screw-driven configurations include external-nut actuators, where the screw rotates and a restrained nut travels along it; captive actuators, where the nut rotates and pushes a non-rotating screw in and out; and non-captive actuators, where the rotating nut travels along a screw that passes through the motor. Available configurations include multiple screw diameters, lead sizes, NEMA frame sizes, motor lengths, and actuator lengths to match specific force, speed, and travel requirements. Carriage guidance is provided by either self-lubricating Gliding Surface Technology for low-maintenance operation in environments with dirt, heat, or vibration, or ball-bearing profile rails for greater moment capacity and cantilevered loads.

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228 products
Lead Screw Linear Actuator with a NEMA 8 motor, a Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 1mm lead, and a length of 100mm. The screw is made from precision-rolled 300 Series Stainless Steel and coated with PTFE to prevent flaking. The Constant Force™ Anti-Backlash nut uses a spring to maintain..
$212.91
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 250mm long with a NEMA 17 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 5mm 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..
$179.53
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 250mm long with a NEMA 17 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 2mm 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..
$179.53
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 250mm long with a NEMA 17 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 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..
$179.53
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 200mm long with a NEMA 14 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 5mm 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
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 200mm long with 2mm lead size, a NEMA 14 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 6mm screw diameter, 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..
$191.99
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 8 inches long with a NEMA 11 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 3/16 inch screw diameter, 0.5" lead, with the screw 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..
$208.69
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator with a NEMA 11 Motor. The Lead Screw has a Round Anti-Backlash Nut with a 3/16 inch diameter, 0.05" lead, and a length of 8 inches, and is made from precision-rolled 300 Series Stainless Steel, coated with PTFE to prevent flaking. The Round Constant Force™..
$208.69
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 70mm long, 0.138in screw diameter with a NEMA 08 Motor, 0.024in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 70mm Screw..
$153.23
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 125mm long, 0.138in screw diameter with a NEMA 08 Motor, 0.024in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 125mm Screw..
$160.00
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 150mm long, 1/4in screw diameter with a NEMA 14 Motor, 1/2in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor Length: 150mm Screw..
$157.16
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 150mm long, 0.188in screw diameter with a NEMA 11 Motor, 0.025in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 150mm Screw..
$154.70
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 400mm long, 3/8in screw diameter with a NEMA 23 Motor, 1/5in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 400mm Screw..
$206.40
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 70mm long, 1/4in screw diameter with a NEMA 14 Motor, 1/2in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 70mm Screw..
$147.31
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 80mm long, 1/4in screw diameter with a NEMA 17 Motor, 1/2in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 80mm Screw..
$135.50
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 100mm long, 3/8in screw diameter with a NEMA 23 Motor, 1/5in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 100mm Screw..
$187.93
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 250mm long, 1/4in screw diameter with a NEMA 17 Motor, 1/2in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 250mm Screw..
$156.43
Non-Captive Lead Screw Linear Actuator 70mm long, 0.188in screw diameter with a NEMA 11 Motor, 0.025in lead is made using an injected molded, internal nut. Choose a non-captive lead screw actuator when space is limited, as it allows the lead screw to pass completely through the motor. Length: 70mm Screw..
$144.85
Captive Pusher Lead Screw Linear Actuator with a NEMA 23 motor, 3/8" screw diameter, 1/5 inch lead, and 25.4mm stroke length for compact, precise linear motion applications. In this captive internal actuator design, the lead screw is retained within the motor assembly while an integrated internal nut mechanism drives the..
$227.28
Captive Pusher Lead Screw Linear Actuator with a NEMA 08 motor, 0.138" screw diameter, 0.024" lead, and 25.4mm stroke length for compact, precise linear motion applications. In this captive internal actuator design, the lead screw is retained within the motor assembly while an integrated internal nut mechanism drives the non-rotating..
$214.22

Linear Actuators

228 products
Linear Actuators Overview

A linear actuator is a mechanical device that combines a linear guide, drive mechanism, carriage-guidance system, and power source to produce controlled straight-line motion for moving or positioning a load. The drive mechanism—such as a ball screw, lead screw, belt, or fluid-powered piston—creates linear force, while the guidance system supports the carriage, controls its path, and resists side, moment, and cantilevered loads. Linear actuators are commonly classified as electric, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic; electric and mechanical designs are often selected for controlled positioning, repeatability, clean operation, and integration with automated machinery.

PBC Linear designs guided belt-driven and screw-driven actuators powered by NEMA motors or hand cranks. Belt-driven actuators support long strokes and high speeds with low maintenance. Ball screw actuators provide high efficiency, load capacity, and positioning accuracy, while lead screw actuators offer quieter, more cost-effective motion with anti-backlash options for improved repeatability. Screw-driven configurations include external-nut actuators, where the screw rotates and a restrained nut travels along it; captive actuators, where the nut rotates and pushes a non-rotating screw in and out; and non-captive actuators, where the rotating nut travels along a screw that passes through the motor. Available configurations include multiple screw diameters, lead sizes, NEMA frame sizes, motor lengths, and actuator lengths to match specific force, speed, and travel requirements.

Carriage guidance is provided by either self-lubricating Gliding Surface Technology for low-maintenance operation in environments with dirt, heat, or vibration, or ball-bearing profile rails for greater moment capacity and cantilevered loads.

  • Guided belt-driven, ball screw, and lead screw actuator options
  • External-nut, captive, and non-captive screw configurations
  • NEMA motor-driven and hand-crank models
  • Multiple screw diameters, leads, motor lengths, and frame sizes
  • Choose Self-lubricating Gliding Surface Technology for dirt, heat, and vibration or ball-bearing profile rail guidance for higher moment and cantilevered loads
  • Load capacities up to 83,400N (18,750lb)
  • Stroke lengths up to 6,000mm (236in)
  • Miniature through heavy-duty actuator systems

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.