Pneumatic Rack And Pinion Double Rack Rotary Actuator

DA SR rack and pinion rotary actuator autocontrol valves

As noted above, there are three different actuator types — hydraulic, pneumatic and electric. We will get into more detail about each style and its advantages and disadvantages below.

Actuators classify first by the type of motion they produce. While rotary actuators generate rotation, linear actuators move in a straight path. Either type can also take the designation of oscillating if the movement cycles regularly.

Actuator types are next characterized by what energy form the actuator employs to convert the source from a potential state into physical motion. Potential energy is stored energy with the ability to do work. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. The most common energy sources are compressed fluids, compressed gas and electricity.

Hydraulic actuators operate with compressed fluid and control movement by managing the amount of fluid inside. Adding fluid increases pressure while reducing it lessens the force. These actuators are ideal for applications that need more significant power, but you can also commonly find them in products like exercise equipment.

The primary advantage of pneumatic systems is that they run on compressed air or gas instead of fluid. As a result, they are involatile and require no electricity to perform. Pneumatic actuators are versatile and affordable, making them popular for braking systems and pressure sensors.

The function of an electric actuator is to generate mechanical power from electricity input. Since the power source is consistent and continuous, these actuator types offer easy maintenance and are ideal for high-precision work. Electric actuators are common in manufacturing, robotics and electric vehicles.

You’ll find a lot of debate over actuators, but which actuator type is the best depends on your application. In some situations, electric and pneumatic actuators are the best choice. However, in many applications today, hydraulic actuators give you superior performance. Read on to discover more about the benefits, drawbacks and popular applications of each actuator type.