Depending on where you live, it may be that time of the year when snow starts to fill your sidewalk and the front of your house, making it impossible to get anywhere without clearing a path. Using a snow blower can be the easiest, less labour intensive, option compared to picking up a shovel and spending hours working.
Although snow blowers are handy pieces of equipment, they can be made even better by actuating the chute. This would allow for...
12v Actuators|Actuator|Actuators|Electric Actuators|Linear Actuator|Micro Linear Actuators|Power Supply
Progressive Automations has always been at the forefront in the global motion control market, leading the way with trendsetting innovations and new product releases. Our products are widely considered among the best of their class, which is a testament to our company’s dedication to design and customer service.
A new addition to our product line is the RT-18 Table Lift Hand Remote that allows you to control the height of your table lift/des...
Sometimes our projects need some added security. This can be the case in a variety of different applications such as door-lock mechanisms, prevention of unsafe or unauthorized use of machinery or getting even more niche, escape room props. In this article we will take you through a keypad actuator assembly and go over how you can password-protect the operation of your linear actuator.
Here is what we will be using:
Arduino Uno.
4x4 matrix key...
It is a regular practice that products manufactured by a reputable brand are characterized by a high level of quality and durability. For example, if customers see “Toyota”, they realize that the vehicle from that brand is a top-quality offer. Can we apply that concept to such categories of devices as linear actuators? To answer the question, first, it is necessary to introduce some manufacturers that enjoy popularity in the US market.
Progr...
Linear actuators are undeniably the star of the modern-day motion control industry. These elegant devices have widespread applications in a range of industries such as aerospace and health. They are equally important for the domestic consumer, finding applications in everyday-use equipment, for example, lawn care.
Owing to their extensive utility, linear actuators boast a myriad of customization options. They come in various sizes, performance...
12v Actuators|Actuator|Limit Switch|Limit switches|Linear Actuators|Micro Linear Actuators
Modern robotic technologies is an extremely dynamic branch of science, that develops rapidly and brings interesting break-through innovations almost every year. Robots are commonly used in our day to life to do all sorts of things. Human-like machines are implemented everywhere from medicine to householding and manufacturing. These robots can vary in their characteristics, functions, and outlook; some of them range from rather primal and simpl...
Linear actuators come in various sizes. The most commonly used is the industrial actuators with a high stroke, force, and speed. Although there are, lighter ones for home use. Industrial actuators assist in keeping workers safe and aid in heavy-duty tasks in factories, manufacturing plants, and construction.
Although there are currently manufacturers with different models, common ones stand out. Let’s go ahead and break them down to find out t...
Automation in the modern world reigns supreme. Initially employed at plants and factories to spare humans physically laborious and repetitive operations automated devices and cobots have left shop floors and spread across a huge range of activities – from medicine and aerospace to defense and agriculture.
Appreciating the convenience and comfort that these tireless silent assistants bring, we invited them into our homes where they set about st...
12v Actuators|Actuator|Linear Actuator|Micro Linear Actuators|Robot Arms|Robotics|robots
In a technological world that continues to advance exponentially, the safety, convenience, and comfort of our homes and workplaces must increase with it as well. Proudly sponsored by Progressive Automations, the AutoWindows team is on a journey to create aesthetically pleasing automatic window systems for all. By combining some of the world's top linear actuators with windows, AutoWindows goal is to have their system installed into homes acros...
Christmas is around the corner, which means we have entered the festive season. What better way to celebrate this time of the year with some automation projects that will boost your Christmassy spirit – from a motorized Christmas tree to an animatronic figure, Progressive Automations will help you out. Let us get straight into 5 festive automation ideas to incorporate into your holiday season.
1. Motorized Christmas Tree
A Christmas tree ...
The art of motion control is epitomized in linear actuators, which have found applications in numerous areas of life. They used in many areas, from high-tech production lines and smart devices in our homes, to airplanes in the sky. What makes linear actuators exemplary motion control devices? Feedback: the remarkable ability to convey real-time information derived from motion (position, speed, direction) to sophisticated control systems. Contr...
12v Actuators|Actuator|Feedback Linear Actuators|Hall effect sensors|Heavy Duty Linear Actuator|Linear Actuator|Linear Actuator Control|Linear Actuators
A brushed DC electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy using Lorentz Law, which states that “a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field will experience a force”. This force can be used in a variety of ways, such as in a linear actuator to convert rotational motion into linear motion.
Progressive Automations offers a variety of linear actuators containing either a cored or coreless DC motor, but which type sh...
12v Actuators|Cored DC Motor|Coreless DC Motor|Electric Actuators|Linear Actuator
Waterproof actuators are the ideal solution for environments that may expose an actuator to water or other hazardous fluids. In this article, we will be discussing when an actuator can be considered waterproof, the relevant IP classifications, how we make them waterproof, where we can use such actuators, and the solutions offered by Progressive Automations. This information provided in this blog should help you select the right linear actuator...
12v Actuators|Actuator|Linear Actuators|Waterproof Electric Linear Actuator
Our October product releases include a new standing desk hand remote, a momentary rocker switch for our PA-25 and PA-40 and a 24 VDC control box in two version: 2-channel and 4-channel. Keep on reading to find out more about each of these new products: we include direct links to their product pages where we have lots of extra information, specifications, data sheets and dimensional drawings!
Standing Desk Hand Remote with 2 Position Memory Fu...
FLTCON-2 24 VDC control box|Products|Progressive Automations|Remote controlled|Rocker Switch Momentary
The PA-12 electric linear actuator is a fantastic example of lean design principles and represents the future of linear motion. If you are looking for a device that can deliver best-in-class performance in a compact package, look no further. The PA-12 is packed with modern solutions to recurring problems, and this article will provide a look into the main features of this actuator’s design. This linear actuator is purpose-built to provide the ...
What force actuator should I buy? We get asked this question every day here at Progressive Automations. Therefore, we have dedicated this article to walk you through the process on how to calculate the actuator force required to successfully lift the load of your application. There are a couple of factors involved when it comes to finding the right force, including the load, the angle at which it is being pushed and the size of the load.
How t...
The automation revolution, hailed as the leading trend of the modern-day tech industry, has transformed our lives all across the board. What started as a way of improving inefficient industrial processes is now embedded in our daily routines. Be it the innovative Smart Home concept or ergonomic TV furniture, automation is the ultimate comfort-giver in our personal abodes.
One of the central and busiest parts of our homes is the kitchen. The p...
Progressive Automations is pleased to share another sponsorship project! One of our innovative customers, John McGurk, has built a mechanism to raise and lower a grill rack above a charcoal or wooden-fired grill pit. The goal was to design a stylish cantilever-like apparatus so that it is easier to cook and manage, while socializing at the same time. This project was inspired by the traditional way of cooking paella over open-wood fire in Vale...
Since the development of the first silicon chip in 1961, technology has progressed significantly. Silicon-based chips, now embedded amongst an array of components on a board, have allowed for many microcontroller applications to come to fruition. These microcontroller boards are used to send and receive digital/analog signals from sensors and other circuitries. These signals are processed within the brain of microcontroller board (CPU - centra...
A remote controlled linear actuator enables the actuator stroke length to be positioned and controlled through the use of a remote device, acting as the user interface of the linear actuator. The remote provides a convenient way to send signals to the actuator for it to extend, retract, or stop. It’s particularly useful in applications where the actuator is located at height or distance from where it is to be controlled. Depending on the type ...
Smartphones are a fixed piece of technology in the majority of people’s lives, allowing you to keep up to date with news, update your social media, connect with family, friends, and colleagues, and accomplish daily tasks quickly and conveniently. When controlling actuators, you would normally use a wired switch or wireless remote to activate a control box. However, we wanted to make controlling actuators as easy as accomplishing an everyday ta...
TV lifts have diversified and grown in popularity in recent years, and with this growing demand, manufacturers have continuously developed faster, smarter, and more convenient devices. While it goes without saying that TV lifts are innovative devices that would modernize any home, there are more reasons beyond the novelty factor that make them so worthwhile. These automated lifts are activated with low-power electric linear actuators for ultim...
Progressive Automations would like to present to you another impressive project by one of our innovative customers!
Trent Peterson, a graduate from California Polytechnic State University, has designed a Stewart Platform robot to be used in one of Cal Poly’s Robotics courses. The purpose of this design is to showcase what is being learned in the theory portion of the class, giving students the ability to apply their knowledge and verify invers...
Gone are the days where recreational vehicles (RVs) were crammed with a bed, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Thanks to the rapid development of technology, modern RVs are packed with high-tech equipment and smart storage solutions, such as movable coach units using RV slide-out actuators, allowing for a more spacious interior.
Linear actuators have become quite popular in RV’s and serve many different applications. In some cases, a higher force fro...
Electrical linear actuators are an essential tool in our daily lives, helping to automate several processes. These essential devices can often be integrated within many applications where noise sensitivity could be important, for example in modern medical beds. When looking at the types of actuators you can opt for with noise containment in mind, it is clear that electric actuators are the superior choice. Electric linear actuators emit less n...
Boat hatch actuators serve a critical role on marine vessels as they keep the environment from reaching sensitive areas, be it the living quarters or mechanical and electronic equipment. These hatches tend to be heavy due to the nature of their function and as such, it is often difficult to open them by hand when required, especially in choppy waters. This article will explore how to automate the boat hatch with a linear actuator and what fact...
When it comes to choosing the right actuator voltage, it is crucial to consider the number of variables that will enable it to operate at its full potential. These main considerations include the available actuator current, voltage, power (i.e. choosing an appropriate power supply), voltage drops, as well as the speed and force you require from the linear actuator.
Moreover, it is not just the quantity of voltage being supplied that is importa...
Linear Actuator|Power Consumption|Power Supply|Voltage
Introducing the PA-10
An actuator may sometimes be used in applications that experience harsh environments such as saltwater, heavy rain, underwater submissions, or acidic/ corrosive substances. Due to these demanding requirements, the right actuator with proper ratings would be recommended to handle these applications. In this product overview, we will be taking a look at the PA-10 actuator which has the highest Ingress Protection and salt sp...
There are several reasons why some donuts may be deemed low-quality or unsatisfactory. Sometimes, it’s the result of public coffee shops being closed, understaffed, or sparsely stocked during late hours. Many customers in public spaces including airports, hospitals, universities, and other similar locations may also crave quality customized donuts at different times throughout the day.
To solve this issue, a team of engineering students from t...
There may come a time when replacing a linear actuator or a control box is necessary to ensure proper or enhanced operation. In the case of a medical care bed linear actuator, it may need to be upgraded to allow for a higher output force. But what happens when you need to replace a control box or linear actuator with 3rd party equivalents? This guide will walk you through whether retrofitting of different linear actuators and control boxes is ...
In recent years, the use of linear actuators in industrial and non-industrial applications has proven to be indispensable. Choosing the right linear actuator for an application can be quite confusing due to the vast array of types and parameters that need to be considered (i.e. stroke length, motor type, force, and speed). High-speed linear actuators have become quite popular, but what are the differences between opting for a fast linear actua...
Project C.A.R., a group of students from Rochester Institute of Technology, has created a full-motion racing simulator to give student-drivers an opportunity to experience realistic simulator training. They have achieved this with as close to ‘real world’ feedback as possible. Although their project has been delayed due to the closure of RIT caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still would love to showcase how this group achieved what they have...
Idea Generation
Brian Szeredy and Brian Scanlon, also known as The Brian’s, have been building show choir props for about six years. In 2019, they decided to create automated concert wings for the Shepherd Hill Regional High School’s show choir group, ILLUSION, to perform during the 35th Central Massachusetts Show Choir Festival.
After hours and hours of research, Brian’s created a prototype of a very simple scissor-like assembly with pieces o...
Technology within the automotive industry has seriously improved over the years, from interior functionality to car mechanics and capabilities. One such technological advancement has occurred in vehicle power windows. Electromechanical linear actuators play a critical role in making vehicle power window automation as powerful and seamless as they are.
However, power windows do not need to be restricted to cars alone, as window actuators are wi...
WHAT ARE FEEDBACK ACTUATORS?
A feedback actuator is a type of linear actuator that incorporates positional feedback, making it adaptable to applications where a closed-loop system is needed. A potentiometer is used to read the position of an actuator as it cycles. Our models such as the PA-14P and PA-17-POT use potentiometers that require 5 VDC input voltage and outputs a voltage signal that increases when extending and decreases when retracti...
Agriculture is almost as old as humankind. Together with hunting, fishing, and gathering, agriculture and cultivation have been widely practiced since primordial times and were the staples of the economy in all ancient civilizations. The nature of humans is still the same and, since inedia doesn’t commend itself to the majority of people, farming doesn’t lose its import continuing to provide the ever-growing humanity with food.
Being an age-lo...
There are many applications for our linear actuators across many different industries. As the unit is designed to move an object in a linear motion, it has been used for lowering light bars on utility trucks. Lightbars are used on vehicles to increase their visibility or to provide visual warning lights for the awareness of other drivers around them. The light bars can sometimes be elevated higher to further increase the visibility, making it...
How To|Linear Actuator|Linear Motion|Progressive Automations
A track linear actuator’s operation is similar to a standard actuator except that its range of motion is enclosed in a track instead of projecting out into the open air. Having this design style makes the actuator more sensitive to dust and water. However, its main advantage is it can handle more force than an equivalent traditional device in ratio to its physical size. This is because a track system has a pre-defined path for the force which ...
At Progressive Automations we offer electric lifting columns that convert rotational motion from DC motors into linear motion. Our lifting columns are designed for smooth, quiet, and maintenance-free operation providing a variety of applications. In this article, we will specifically discuss one of our high force lifting column sets, the FLT-07.
A Two Lifting Columns System
The FLT-07 comes with two lifting columns, capable of lifting up to 88...
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. It is most commonly used to access the basement in a house. A trapdoor can be heavy and hard to open especially for elders and kids. However, you can automate trapdoor by mounting the actuator on the trapdoor so that it can open & close with just a press of a button. You can choose to use one linear actuator or two lin...
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:
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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...
Five years ago, the Wi-Fi Actuator App and PA-35 Wi-Fi Control Box were introduced as the first of its kind at Progressive Automations. We are excited to announce that the Wi-Fi Actuator Control App has undergone some upgrades.
Wi-Fi Actuator Control App Version 1.0.18
Optimized compatibility for iOS 12.1+
Updated formatting for newer generation iOS devices.
Bug fixes.
Download the Wi-Fi Control App
Features of the Actuator App
Wi-Fi contr...
Teams from around the world compete at the University Rover Challenge (URC), held each year in the desert of Southern Utah in the United States. Student teams compete to design and build the next generation of Mars rovers that will one day work alongside astronauts exploring the Red Planet.
One such team that has stood out for us is Team Anveshak from IIT, Madras, India. The group of over 20 student engineers is on a mission to build the next ...
There are electrical and mechanical considerations that must be taken into account when implementing a linear actuator. It can sometimes be difficult to choose the right size and force. For example, the actuator may be rated to handle twice the weight of a trapdoor in terms of force, but still struggles to open it. This could happen because of the force application angle or insufficient leverage.
In this blog, we will share a set of simplified...
A salt spray test is a standardized and popular testing method conducted to examine the corrosion resistance of materials and protective coatings. The test mimics corrosive environments in an accelerated time frame, allowing you to compare the relative corrosion resistance of various coatings.
Testing
Salt spray testing is typically performed in accordance with ASTM B117 testing procedures. B117 outlines standard practice for performing a salt...
Progressive Automations just got back from the ATX West show. This trade show and conference are located at the Anaheim convention center in the beautiful and always sunny Anaheim, California – home of Disneyland.
The ATX West show is USA’s largest annual automation technology event which showcases motion control products, motors, and drives, sensors, and detectors, machine components.
As a leading linear actuator manufacturing company, Pr...
Electric Linear Actuators are used to automate different types of applications in different environments. It would thus be important to ensure that your actuator is well protected from water damage.
Effects of water damage
Using an actuator in humid or moist environments, submerged in water or used near water can lead to overtime water damage if the IP rating is too low or there aren’t sufficient protective measures. Water damage can cause an ...
Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive is to do with IP ratings. What is an IP rating? What does it mean? How does the rating system work? We understand there are many questions regarding IP ratings, so to help you understand it better, we have created this guide.
What is an IP Rating?
An International Protection Marking, also known as IP Rating/Code, is the rating of a product’s ability to withstand liquid and dust intrusio...
Selecting the right manufacturer for your linear motion products is a crucial part of your design process. High-quality products are sure to give you the precision in a movement that you are looking for as well as a long-lasting application. It is more than just finding the actuator product you need; it’s about finding a company you can rely on for good quality products and help build a good relationship.
Here we will go over a few questions t...
A linear actuator is a common electro-mechanical component used in many applications. The unit is highly customizable and can be modified to fit into different environments and meet various functional demands. To utilize linear actuators positional feedback feature, there are many sensors available for this function. In this article, we will discuss how does limit switch feedback work in actuators.
Limit Switch in Linear Actuators
First, we wi...
Robotics are paving the way for automation; even wheelchairs are no longer missing the race towards making a better future for the disabled. These days, robots are no longer just a mass of hardware; instead, they have been designed to reflect and work on algorithms, making them smarter and better than just pieces of metal.
Robotic assistance devices are springing up all over the world, promising to change the façade of the technological gamut....
DC motors are widely used both in industrial applications and at home for personal projects. One of the key considerations when choosing to use a DC motor is whether to attach some form of feedback to the motor.
What is feedback?
Feedback refers to any information that a controller can use to monitor a process. In DC motors, feedback is usually collected in the form of position, number of rotations, and direction of rotation. This information ...
Actuator|Customization|Feedback Devices|Feedback Linear Actuators|Hall effect sensors|Linear Actuator|potentiometer
Consumer robotics is ushering in the next wave of technological advancements. To date, only Hollywood movies were showing robots working shoulder to shoulder with humans; who knows this might become the eventual reality soon. While robots working with humans might not be a reality at this point, one can’t negate the role of consumer robotics in our lives.
According to recent research, by 2024, consumer robots will boost the market demand to 39...
Micro linear actuators – the smaller counterpart of standard-sized linear actuators – are relatively new to the market, where their size and capabilities are being installed into a wider automation field. Nonetheless, the active development of robotics and the constant advancement of all modern technologies available to the US make these handy devices more interesting and fruitful for professionals as well as amateur engineers in the long run....