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
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 316mm body length, 80mm x 80mm 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 19mm left male drive shaft for motor or..
$2,396.65
Ball Screw Linear Actuator of 141mm length with two 20 mm recirculating ball profile rail guideways for compact, high-rigidity linear motion. This MUK actuator uses a 20 mm diameter ball screw with a 5 mm lead, Class 7 travel accuracy rated at 52 µm/300 mm, and a profile rail carriage..
$3,408.18
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 1000mm length of V-rail and a carriage equipped with stainless steel sealed V-wheels. This part of the SIMO UG Tall Profile Series includes a NEMA 23 motor. The SIMO process involves machining aluminum extrusions with synchronized cutters in one pass, ensuring rails with 2x better..
$1,519.24
Lead screw driven linear slide actuator on two ceramic-coated hardened 1500mm low profile rails, featuring a NEMA 17 motor and an anodized aluminum carriage underlined with self-lubricating, maintenance-free FrelonGold® which is part of our Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) that works well in high temperature, dirty and high vibration environments. GST..
$1,244.76
Lead screw linear actuator featuring a NEMA 17 motor mount with two 1500mm long hardened, ceramic-coated rails and an anodized aluminum carriage underlined with self-lubricating maintenance-free FrelonGold® to create a smooth Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) effect on the rails that can easily withstand hot, dirty, or high vibration conditions.  Lead..
$1,151.17
Ball Screw Linear Actuator of 283mm length, featuring a Class 10 ball screw with a ball nut and a 5mm lead housed in a compact aluminum housing of 55mm width and 55mm height. A high-speed Integral-V™ pre-loaded ball bearing cam roller carriage glides on a 55mm-wide linear rail with v-grooved hardened..
$1,828.31
Drive End Integrated Motor Screw
Motor Option NEMA17 Single Stack
Rail Length 200mm
Number Of Carriages 1
$700.61
Belt-driven linear actuator with a blank motor plate, 1000mm length of V-rail and a carriage equipped with stainless steel sealed V-wheels. This is part of the SIMO UG Tall Profile Series. The SIMO process involves machining aluminum extrusions with synchronized cutters in one pass, ensuring rails with 2x better flatness..
$1,535.25
Drive End Integrated Motor Screw
Motor Option NEMA17 Single Stack
Rail Length 130mm
Number Of Carriages 1
$774.21
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 240mm body length, 55mm x 55mm 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 16mm left male drive shaft for motor or..
$1,665.37
Lead Screw Linear Slide Actuator of 500mm length with a NEMA 17 motor. This actuator utilizes a Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) carriage with a self-lubricating FrelonGold® underliner on a rail with a tall profile. It features a 2mm screw lead and an anti-backlash screw nut. GST carriage with self-lubricating FrelonGold®..
$926.09
Lead Screw Linear Slide Actuator with a blank motor plate. This actuator utilizes a Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) carriage with a self-lubricating FrelonGold® underliner on a 500mm 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..
$832.50
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 200mm length of V-rail and a carriage equipped with stainless steel sealed V-wheels. This part of the SIMO UG Tall Profile Series includes a NEMA 23 motor. The SIMO process involves machining aluminum extrusions with synchronized cutters in one pass, ensuring rails with 2x better..
$1,216.52
Lead screw linear actuator featuring a NEMA 17 motor with two 500mm long hardened, ceramic-coated rails and an anodized aluminum carriage underlined with self-lubricating maintenance-free FrelonGold® to create a smooth Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) effect that can easily withstand hot, dirty, or high vibration conditions.  Lead screw has an Anti-Backlash™..
$902.29
Lead screw linear actuator featuring a blank motor plate with 500mm long hardened, ceramic-coated rails and an anodized aluminum carriage underlined with self-lubricating maintenance-free FrelonGold® to create a smooth Gliding Surface Technology™ (GST) effect that can easily withstand hot, dirty, or high vibration conditions.  Lead screw has an Anti-Backlash™ nut..
$808.69
Lead Screw Linear Actuator 400mm long with a NEMA 23 Motor, Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 16mm screw diameter, 5mm lead size, and the screw is made from precision-rolled 300 Series Stainless Steel and coated with PTFE to prevent flaking and reduce friction. The Round Constant Force™ Anti-Backlash nut uses a spring..
$257.70
Belt-driven linear actuator with a NEMA 23 motor mount, a 200mm length of V-rail and a carriage equipped with stainless steel sealed V-wheels. This part of the SIMO UG Tall Profile Series includes a NEMA 23 motor mount. The SIMO process involves machining aluminum extrusions with synchronized cutters in one..
$1,232.54
Belt-driven linear actuator with a 204mm 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..
$1,438.32
Lead Screw Linear Actuator 500mm long with a NEMA 23 Motor Single Stack (56mm), Round Anti-Backlash Nut, 16mm screw diameter, 5mm lead size, and the screw is made from precision-rolled 300 Series Stainless Steel and coated with PTFE to prevent flaking and reduce friction. The Round Constant Force™ Anti-Backlash nut..
$266.49
Lead Screw Driven Linear Actuator including a NEMA 17 motor mount. 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®..
$696.23

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.