Save money on your purchases by earning redeemable points with Progressive Rewards!
We're now accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrencies as payment methods!
We stand with Ukraine, and our team members who call it home. Learn how you can help.
Blog
Learn more about our products and stay updated with our news
Featured
How Are Linear Actuators Made?
 A linear actuator creates motion in a straight line. It is widely used in machine tools and industrial applications. Recently, with the rise of electric linear actuators, more and more industries have begun to use them to automate their applications. For example, linear actuators are used in the renewable energy industry to tilt panels towards the sun for optimal exposure and in the medical industry to actuate hospital beds.
Read More
Japanese Style Hidden Table Lift Project
As you probably know by now, we love showing off what our customers can do with our products. This time we have something really impressi...
Read More
Components of an Electric Linear Actuator
Progressive Automations is an expert on linear motion. We design, manufacture, and distribute a wide variety of electric linear actuators for almost any industry, as well as controls and accessories. In this article, we will dissect one of our most popular units, the PA-14 Mini Linear Actuator to show you the basics components inside an electric linear actuator.
Read More
How to Build an Adjustable Standing Desk
Sitting for long periods of time is never a good idea; it can lead or contribute to many health issues including obesity, increased risk ...
Read More
How a Life-Sized R2-D2 Model was Built with Linear Actuators!
Popular movies such as Star Wars often have fan favorite characters like R2-D2 which many would wish for the opportunity to see in real life. We had the privilege to speak with Michael McMaster in 2013 about his plans to use our actuators for a new R2-D2 life size model. When Mike McMaster got the itch to recreate a working model of R2-D2, like so many of us have contemplated in the past, he came upon the R2 Builder's Club Yahoo! Group. After ...
Read More
10 Applications that Benefit the Most from Linear Motion
Linear motion can be found in nearly every machine, process, and equipment we use in our daily lives. From something as simple as mechanical pencils, all the way to heavy-duty agriculture equipment, there’s no doubt linear motion plays a crucial role in our society. If you wanted some inspiration for project ideas or were interested in learning about the popular applications which utilize linear motion, this is just the article for you! We wil...
Read More
The Evolution of Automation
Throughout the history of automation, the emergence of newer techniques, processes and machines eventually shaped a path for automation to play a larger role in our society. The main goals for the evolution of automation in everyday life has been to help improve efficiency, productivity, safety, and convenience. In this article, we will cover the history of industrial automation to gain a better understanding of how the different stages of aut...
Read More
Top 10 Frequently Asked Lead Screw Questions
Lead screws can be found in nearly every industry as they are one of the most basic linear electric actuator technologies available. In terms of matching cost with reliability, lead screws are notable components and can be found in quality electric linear actuators at affordable prices. In this article, we will cover the top 10 lead screw questions we frequently get asked which you will find useful to better understand lead screws and how they...
Read More
Introducing Our Quick Release Linear Actuator
In an emergency, our machines and equipment are required to perform their function no matter the situation. Applications such as medical beds, patient lifts and security safes are a few examples of where optional fast deployment and functionality during an electrical power outage can be useful in emergencies. The PA-QR1 has been designed as the first quick release linear actuator by Progressive Automations to handle applications such as these....
Read More
How To Make an Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener
Raising chickens at home is becoming more common and accepted for producing local fresh food. With that said, rearing chickens at home can be a lot more than just collecting the eggs. It does come with a set of responsibilities of ensuring they are well-fed, healthy; they have access to water, sunlight, ventilation and much more. But most of all, you need to be able to shut the chickens in and let them out of their coop daily, which does requi...
Read More
