How To Category - Progressive Automations Blog

Electric linear actuators are driven by either an AC or DC motor. This article will highlight the main differences between these two motor types in order to assist you in the selection of the correct linear actuator motor.  [cta] [cta-content] Want to convert between AC and DC? Our PA-20 has an AC inverter! Click Here [cta]   Electrical Definition AC and DC motors run on the same principle. Alternating magnetic fields caused by alternating cur...

Choosing the right linear actuator is only part of a successful automation project. The actuator also needs to be mounted correctly so it can transfer force in the intended direction, move through the full stroke, and avoid binding, side loading, or premature wear. Most electric linear actuators are designed to push or pull along the centerline of the actuator rod. If the mounting geometry forces the actuator to bend, twist, or carry unsupport...

There are two methods of multiple actuator control – parallel and synchronous. Parallel control outputs a constant voltage to each actuator, while synchronous control outputs variable voltage to each actuator. The process of synchronizing multiple actuators is necessary when implementing two or more actuators to move at the same speed.  This can be achieved with two forms of positional feedback – hall effect sensors and multiple turn potentio...

One of the great things about working at Progressive Automations is hearing from customers about how they plan to use our actuators. From home fixtures to industrial applications, the sky is the limit for automation. In order to realize your ideas for using our linear actuators, there are many parameters which must be determined about the intended application. In this series, we present useful design techniques for determining how our actuator...

This article is the first part of our “Linear Actuator Control" series. We will be discussing everything from the most basic control methods that utilize limit switches to accomplishing sequential control with the use of relays. In this first article, we will cover how to limit a linear actuator’s extension and retraction stroke using the AC-24 external limit switch. [cta] [cta-content] Using one of our external limit switches will give you ex...

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...