How To

You have recently purchased an actuator and are excited to get your application up and running. However, after wiring all the devices together, the actuator does not extend or retract? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With this guide, we will help identify possible causes of error and troubleshooting techniques that will help you get your actuator working as intended. Operating an actuator, for the most part, should be easy and straightforward, ...

This tutorial will help in understanding the controls of a brushless DC motor controller when paired with an Arduino and a linear actuator. This program can be used to continuously extend and retract the stroke of an actuator. Before we get started, let’s go over the components we will be using in this tutorial: Arduino Mega (Arduino Uno can be used as well). LC-241. PA-14 with a brushless motor. PS-13-12 power supply. Jumper Wires. The li...

A linear actuator is a common electro-mechanical component used in many applications. The unit is highly customizable and can be modified to fit into different environments and meet various functional demands. There are many sensors available to utilize linear actuators positional feedback feature. In this article, we will discuss how a linear actuator with a limit switch works and linear actuator limit switch wiring to fully understand feedba...

Welcome to Part II of our guide on how to monitor the load feedback of a linear actuator. In Part I we went over the wiring process and the basic coding needed for the example. In today's guide, we will be going over in detail the different sections of the coding as well as some ways to edit it. To begin we will be looking at the latchButtons() section of code. The first thing we want to see is the button debouncing, so when the left button is...

In today’s guide, we will go over how to find out how much force a linear actuator is applying by monitoring the amount of current it is using. This will be one of our more advanced guides and will require some complex coding, calibrating and programming. We will be covering the monitoring of analog input and how it utilizes its functions. For this project, we’ll be using a MegaMoto Plus, a linear actuator (we are using our PA-14 mini actuator...

Electric Linear Actuators are used to automate different types of applications in different environments. It would thus be important to ensure that your actuator is well protected from water damage. Effects of water damage Using an actuator in humid or moist environments, submerged in water or used near water can lead to overtime water damage if the IP rating is too low or there aren’t sufficient protective measures. Water damage can cause an ...