Motorized Linear Actuators

Precision Motorized Linear Actuators: Servo, Stepper, Ballscrew, Leadscrew - What's the Difference?

Leadscrew actuators are simple, compact, and cost-effective, but generate more friction and are usually slower. Ballscrew actuators use recirculating balls for higher efficiency, speed, and load capacity. Stepper-driven actuators move in commanded increments, while servo-driven actuators use feedback for smoother motion, higher dynamics, and better positioning control.

Motorized Linear Actuator Products

Low-Cost Precision Actuators with Stepper Motor / Leadscrew

• Precision at very low cost
• Push/pull force to 80 N
• Positioning ranges 10 / 25 mm
• Fast direct drive: 5 mm/second
• Optional gearhead version: 46 nanometer resolution
• Non-rotating tip for better coupling precision
• Non-contact limit and home switches

These economical, high-resolution stepper-motor-driven linear actuators provide positioning ranges of 10 mm and 25 mm. The direct-drive version provides speed to 5 mm/second, while the gearhead models are more compact and provide higher resolution.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings for M-228 / M-229

Ultra-High Precision Motorized Linear Actuator, 10 & 25 mm, Leadscrew

• Positioning range 10 & 25 mm
• To 50 nanometers minimum incremental motion
• Non-contact limit and home switches
• Non-rotating tip for better coupling precision
• 1.5 mm/second velocity
• Choice of closed-loop servo motors and stepper motors
• Front mount or clamp mount
• MTBF >20,000 h

These ultra-high-resolution electromechanical linear actuators consist of a micrometer with non-rotating tip for better coupling precision, driven by a closed-loop servo motor or stepper motor.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings for M-230

Precision Linear Actuator, Compact & Servo-Motor Driven, Ball Screw

• To 77 mm positioning range
• Minimum incremental motion to 100 nanometers
• Non-contact limit and home switches
• Maximum velocity 3.5 mm/second
• Closed-loop servo motor and stepper motor options
• Vacuum-compatible version

This high-resolution electromechanical motorized linear actuator provides motion to 77 mm with sub-micron resolution in a compact package. It consists of a closed-loop motor / gearhead combination driving a precision ball screw with integrated reference and limit switches.

Specs, Drawings for L-220

Compact actuator mounted on a linear translation table.

Custom Compact Folded Precision Linear Actuator with Servo Motor Drive, Leadscrew

• 17 mm positioning range
• Minimum incremental motion to 100 nanometers
• Non-contact limit and home switches
• Maximum velocity 1.5 mm/second
• Closed-loop servo motor
• MTBF >5,000 h

This custom electromechanical motorized linear actuator features a space-saving folded design with a leadscrew side-by-side to a closed-loop DC motor / gearhead combination and a high-resolution encoder. The low-friction / low-stiction construction allows 100 nanometer minimum incremental motion.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings for M-232

High Force Precision Linear Actuator, to 50 mm, 120 N, Ballscrew

• 20 & 50 mm positioning range
• Minimum incremental motion to 100 nanometers
• High-speed direct-drive option
• 120 N push/pull load
• 100 N lateral force capacity
• Recirculating ballscrew drives provide high speeds and long lifetimes
• Closed-loop servo motors and stepper motors
• Non-contact limit and home switches

This high-precision electromechanical motorized linear actuator provides sub-micron resolution, high push/pull force to 120 N, and travel ranges to 50 mm. It is based on a preloaded, ultra-low-friction, heavy-duty recirculating ballscrew driven by a closed-loop servo motor or 2-phase stepper motor.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings for M-235

High-Force, Linear Actuator with Linear Encoder, 400 N, Ballscrew

• 400 N push/pull force
• 50 mm positioning range
• Fast: to 30 mm/second
• 0.1 µm resolution
• Optional linear encoder for exceptional precision
• Long-life frictionless ballscrew
• MTBF >20,000 h
• Vacuum-compatible versions available for 10^-6 hPa

This high-force electromechanical precision motorized linear actuator is driven by a closed-loop ActiveDrive™ servo motor. Combining load capacity to 400 N with velocity to 30 mm/second, it is well suited for high-duty-cycle operation in industrial environments. The optional linear encoder provides exceptional repeatability and accuracy.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings, Part Numbers | Custom High Load Linear Actuator for Vacuum Applications

Compact DC-Motor-Driven High-Resolution Linear Actuator, Motorized Micrometer

• Positioning ranges 10 to 50 mm
• Minimum incremental motion to 0.05 µm
• Non-rotating tip for better coupling precision
• Sub-nm resolution with optional piezo tip
• MTBF >5,000 h
• Closed-loop servo motor

These high-resolution electromechanical motorized linear actuators provide linear motion to 50 mm with sub-micron resolution in a compact package. The non-rotating tip improves coupling precision. A piezo tip option provides sub-nanometer resolution if required.

PDF Brochure | Specs, Drawings, Part Numbers

Custom Stepper-Mike Precision Linear Actuator, 10 mm, 25 mm, 50 mm

• Electromechanical actuator with resolution better than 0.1 µm
• 10, 25 and 50 mm positioning range
• Non-rotating tip for better coupling precision
• 2-phase stepper motor
• Manual positioning knob
• Sub-nm resolution with optional piezo tip
• >5,000 h MTBF

M-168 actuators are compact, high-resolution motorized linear actuators providing linear motion up to 50 mm with sub-micron resolution. They consist of a micrometer drive with non-rotating tip driven by a 6400 microstep/rev 2-phase stepper motor.

PDF Brochure

Additional Precision Linear Actuators & Pushers