There are three main types of linear actuators used in manufacturing. They are hydraulic linear actuators, pneumatic linear actuators and mechanical or electro mechanical linear actuators.

Hydraulic linear actuators

Hydraulic linear actuators adopt pressurized hydraulic fluid that is oil. Hydraulic actuators are mainly used for moving very heavy loads, which play a very important role in such moving applications. In other way, large construction equipment can not work without hydraulic pressure and they relies on hydraulic pressure to operate. Therefore, such linear actuators are particularly employed in precision control systems and heavy duty machine tools in engineering vehicles, marine and aerospace applications where high force, high power per unit weight and volume, mechanical stiffness and high dynamic response are required. Hydraulic linear actuators can not only work at pressures of 500 PSI or greater, but also supply pretty tighter control than pneumatic linear actuators. 

However, the hydraulic linear actuators have some limitations. Namely, some noise, heat, leakage problems will come if improper maintainance is done and additional equipment like motors and pumps, fluid reservoirs, release valves and those equipment to reduce noise and heat are needed.

Pneumatic linear actuators

Pneumatic linear actuators use pressurized air or gas. They are usually powered by electric compressors in modern times and widely used in such greatly fast applications, such as switches, sensors, air compressors, pumps, dentistry, mining, nail guns, mail tubes, door closers and other industrial applications where pressures of 100 PSI or less are needed or when when high speeds are required ranging from several inches per second to over 60 inches of travel per second. In such applications, the lightweight components and low friction will bring less heat.

Mechanical linear actuators or electro mechanical linear actuators.

Mechanical or electro mechanical linear actuators supply the greatest precision degree and highest accuracy compared to the hydraulic linear actuators and pneumatic linear actuators. Rotary motion is usually converted into linear motion by them. The distinction between mechanical or electro mechanical linear actuators is whether it is driven by an internal or an external power source (such as a motor) or is driven by hand.

Peaco Support offers micro linear actuators, heavy duty linear actuators as well as solar tracker linear actuators, which provide 12V/24V DC input voltage, 50N to 14KN load capacity, 50mm-1200mm stroke, 5.5 to 80mm/s travel speed for options. Both standard & customized linear actuators for your special requirement are also available on peacosupport.com.