How To Category - Progressive Automations Blog

The PA-18 Track Linear Actuator is our largest fixed-length actuator and is commonly used in custom cabinetry, home automation, and robotics. You can easily control an actuator with an Arduino board, and this article will showcase how to build and program an Arduino controlled linear actuator that can be easily adapted to fit your application!   Required Hardware The following pieces of hardware are required for an Arduino controlled linear ac...

This article will show you how to use the PA-35 Wi-Fi control box to control actuators that require a large amount of current draw. A video demonstration of the PA-17 Heavy Duty Linear Actuator, being controlled using a smartphone, is shown below: View this post on Instagram A brief demonstration of our PA-35 WiFi Control Box controlling our PA-17 Industrial Liner Actuator. Check out our blog at our website to s...

In our latest "How To" post, we will be going over how to control the timing of a linear actuator's motion using a microcontroller. Microcontrollers give a lot of freedom in motion control and this is just one example of an almost endless amount of motion control options available. Depending on your application, the example project in this article can be adjusted to suit your requirements, whether you add another timed actuator or beef up the ...

The world of electronics can be fun and exciting, but often it can seem quite daunting when you are looking at a wiring diagram and have no idea where to start. Moreover, understanding the code that goes on to a microcontroller can be confusing if you are new to this. Thankfully, we are here to give you the information you need to start your learning journey! [cta] [cta-content] Browse our range of microcontrollers to pair with our actuators! ...

Power. Wattage. Energy Consumption. All these terms can be used when discussing electric linear actuator power consumption. But what exactly do they mean and how do you calculate the power consumption of a 12V DC motor or any motor/linear actuator? That is exactly what we intend to show you in this article.   Current Draw of Linear Actuators Electric linear actuators that are manufactured by Progressive Automations use DC motors. Depending on ...

A trapdoor is a sliding or hinged door, flush with the surface of a floor, roof, or ceiling, or in the stage of a theatre. A trap door to a basement in a house is a common use. To make a trap door is the easy part. The problem is that it can be heavy and hard to open especially for elders and kids. However, you can automate a trapdoor by mounting a linear actuator on the trapdoor so that it can open and close with just a press of a button. You...