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Overview

Standard Linear Actuators

Custom Linear Actuator Options

Linear Actuator Customization

Optimize your design with a custom linear actuator solution.

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What Are Linear Actuators?

Electric linear actuators, which convert rotary motion of gears and a ball or lead screw into linear motion, provide a cleaner, safer, more efficient and cost-effective alternative to hydraulic or pneumatic solutions. Incorporating linear actuators into machines eliminates the risks involved with workers being put into dangerous situations, while turning tedious manual processes into automated ones.

What are linear actuators used for?

A linear actuator is a mechanical device designed to convert rotational motion into linear motion. It is used to move or control objects along a straight line. With their ability to provide precise and controlled movement, linear actuators play a vital role in improving efficiency, automation and convenience in a wide range of industries. They are utilized in industrial automation, material handling, automotive systems, aerospace technology and even in everyday consumer products.

How does a linear actuator work?

A linear actuator usually consists of an electric motor, a lead screw, and a nut or carriage. When the motor rotates, it transfers the rotational motion to the screw, causing the nut or carriage to move along the screw. This linear displacement allows the actuator to extend or retract, depending on the rotation direction of the motor. This allows the actuator to provide precise and controlled linear motion for various applications in industries like automation and automotive systems.

How do I choose the right linear actuator?

Choosing the linear actuator that best fits the requirements of your application involves several key factors:

  • Load Capacity - Determine the load capacity and force required to move your application.
  • Speed/Distance - Consider the speed and travel distance needed, as well as any space limitations.
  • Power Source - Evaluate the power source options, such as AC or DC, and the voltage requirements.
  • Control - Determine the desired control options, whether manual or automated.
  • Environment - Assess the environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture level, to ensure the durability of the chosen actuator.

Why Thomson Linear Actuators?

For more than 50 years and in various applications such as agricultural machines, material handling, medical devices, factory automation among others, powerful Thomson electric linear actuators have set the standard for long-life, heavy duty performance. Built from rugged, high-quality components, these 24v and 12v linear actuators require zero maintenance, don’t leak fluids and are simple to integrate into existing automation processes. Our “smart” heavy duty linear actuators have been integrated with a printed circuit board to provide advanced control options and enhanced performance.

Optimize your design with a custom electric linear actuator.

When our wide selection of linear actuators simply doesn’t meet your application requirements, experienced Thomson engineers can work with you to customize your actuator to meet your exact specifications. Options for your custom solution can include enhanced controllability, synchronization capabilities, stroke length, voltage, bus communication and many others. 

Where Can You Get Started? 

Thomson provides extensive online resources to help you no matter where you may be in the purchase decision process:

Let Thomson Help You Make Your Selection!

Literature

Linear Actuators Literature

Brochures

Electrak HD Linear Actuator 1833 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 2895 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 2856 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 2909 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 2863 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 3092 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator 2980 KB Email
带后部安装法兰的Electrak® HD 1460 KB Email
Electrak HD & MD Actuators - Testing Brochure 12211 KB Email
Electrak HD & MD Actuators - Testing Brochure 12511 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuators - Tested to Endure! 1783 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator with Rear Mounting Flange 468 KB Email
Electrak HD Linear Actuator with Rear Mounting Flange 468 KB Email
Electrak LL Linear Actuator 1260 KB Email
Electrak LL Linear Actuator 1909 KB Email
Electrak LL Linear Actuator 2011 KB Email
Electrak LL Linear Actuator 13658 KB Email
Electrak MD Linear Actuators 2298 KB Email
Electrak MD Linear Actuators 3082 KB Email
Electrak MD Linear Actuators 3085 KB Email
Electrak MD Linear Actuators 2551 KB Email
Electrak MD Linear Actuators 3158 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 631 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2016 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2018 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2675 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2530 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2493 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2487 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2670 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Actuator Brochure 2508 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 2843 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4157 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4125 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4158 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4208 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4179 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 3819 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 3092 KB Email
Electrak XD Linear Actuator 4247 KB Email
H-Track Electro-Hydraulic Actuators 2079 KB Email
H-Track Electro-Hydraulic Actuators 2650 KB Email
H-Track Electro-Hydraulic Actuators 2741 KB Email
H-Track Electro-Hydraulic Actuators 1460 KB Email
H-Track Electro-Hydraulic Actuators 1461 KB Email
Max Jac Electric Linear Actuators Brochure 1800 KB Email
Max Jac Electric Linear Actuators Brochure 1801 KB Email
Max Jac Electric Linear Actuators Brochure 811 KB Email
Smart Actuation 2298 KB Email
Smart Actuation 3497 KB Email
Smart Actuation 2292 KB Email
Smart Actuation 2456 KB Email
Smart Actuation 2530 KB Email
Max Jac Electric Linear Actuators Brochure 1807 KB Email
Thomson Electrak® Marine Actuators 1491 KB Email
Warner Linear B-Track Actuators 2332 KB Email
Warner Linear B-Track Actuators 487 KB Email
Warner Linear B-Track Actuators (mini brochure) 218 KB Email
Warner Linear B-Track Actuators (mini brochure) 219 KB Email
Warner Linear H-Track Actuators 2351 KB Email

Manuals

AC-063 Actuator Control Installation 76 KB Email
AC-247 ELS Actuator Control Installation 134 KB Email
DCG Actuator Control Installation 109 KB Email
DCG Actuator Hand & Motor Control Installation 143 KB Email
Electrak 1 Series Installation & Operation Manual 2222 KB Email
Electrak 100 Series Installation & Operation Manual 1668 KB Email
Electrak E150 Series Installation & Operation Manual 520 KB Email
Electrak 205 Series Installation & Operation Manual 1695 KB Email
Electrak 205 Actuator Repair Kit Installation & Operation 556 KB Email
Electrak GX Series Installation & Operation Manual 730 KB Email
Electrak GX Series Installation & Operation Manual 730 KB Email
Electrak GX Series Installation & Operation Manual 830 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 1985 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 1945 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 2441 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Manual 2187 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 2437 KB Email
Electrak HD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 2941 KB Email
Electrak XD Series Installation & Operation Manual 1580 KB Email
Electrak XD Series Installation & Operation Manual 1580 KB Email
Electrak XD Series Installation & Operation Manual 1795 KB Email
Electrak XD Series Installation & Operation Manual 1764 KB Email
Electrak LL Installation Manual 1657 KB Email
Electrak LL Installation Manual 1657 KB Email
Electrak LL Installation Manual 1745 KB Email
Electrak LA-FA-IA Installation Manual 1559 KB Email
Electrak LA-FA-IA Installation Manual 282 KB Email
Electrak Marine "DM" Series Installation & Operation Manual 1488 KB Email
Electrak MD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 1033 KB Email
Electrak MD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 1036 KB Email
Electrak MD Series Installation & Operation Actuator Manual 1051 KB Email
Electrak MD Series Installation & Operation Manual 814 KB Email
Electrak PPA-AC/DC Installation 1450 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Installation and Operation Manual 697 KB Email
Electrak Throttle Installation and Operation Manual 698 KB Email
Electrak E050-Q050 Installation Manual 81 KB Email
H-Track Linear Actuator Installation Instructions 533 KB Email
H-Track Linear Actuator Installation Instructions 533 KB Email
LoadMaster 80 Actuator Installation 304 KB Email
Magnetic Sensor Installation 457 KB Email
Max Jac Electric Linear Actuator Installation Manual 404 KB Email
Motor Mounting on a Linear Motion System or Precision Linear Actuator with RediMount™ Flange 298 KB Email
Motor Mounting on a Linear Motion System or Precision Linear Actuator with RediMount™ Flange 299 KB Email
Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Driving Guide 807 KB Email
Warner S-Track & B-Track Linear Actuator Installation Instructions 766 KB Email

Technical Articles

Electromechanical Linear Actuators Give Heavy Duty Off-Highway Vehicle Engine Hoods a Welcome Lift 2016-08-16
Thomson Actuators Help Royal Transportation Research Project Reach New Efficiency Levels 2016-07-19
Comprehensive Environmental Testing Delivers Performance Advantages on Electromechanical Actuators 2017-02-18
The Toughest Yet – Max Jac Heavy Duty Linear Actuator 2016-06-17
Thomson Actuators Help Royal Transportation Research Project Reach New Efficiency Levels 2016-01-20
Tough Actuator Ideal for Use in Amazone Intelligent Fertilizer Spreading System 2016-01-16
Custom Cart with Height Adjustment Helps Videojet Improve First Pass Yield 2016-01-15
Technology and Design Advances Drive Trend Towards Electromechanical Actuation 2016-01-08
Onboard Electronics Make Linear Actuators Safer - Smarter 2016-01-07
Electric Throttle Actuators: An easy way to increase the efficiency and functionality of equipment with mechanical diesel... 2015-04-14
Trends in Specifications for Industrial Linear Actuators 2015-04-08
Trends in Specifications for Industrial Linear Actuators 2015-01-26
Design Engineer's Guide – Selecting a Lubricant for Ball Screws 2015-01-04
Electric Throttle Actuators: An easy way to increase the efficiency and... 2014-09-19
Linear Actuators for Throttle Control in Off Highway Vehicles 2013-11-15
Smart Actuators Bring Big Benefits to Utility and Other Off-Highway Vehicles 2012-05-15
Choosing Between Electromechanical and Fluid Power Precision Linear Actuators 2012-05-01
Debunking the Myths of Hydraulic to Electric Actuator Conversion 2007-09-01
Off Highway Earth Moving Equipment - moving trucks had become so enormous… 2006-09-14
Mobile Actuators Reach Lofty Goals - off-highway vehicle manufactures… 2005-05-01
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ILA hydraulic conversion
CAD Models
Linear Actuators 2D/3D Interactive Models
Warner Linear Actuators
Electrak XD Linear Actuators
Electrak HD Linear Actuators
Electrak MD
Electrak LL
Electrak Throttle Linear Actuators
Max Jac Heavy Duty Linear Actuators
DC Linear Actuators
AC Linear Actuators
Non-Driven Linear Actuators
Rodless Units Linear Actuators (Loadmaster LM80)
Rotary Actuators
Legacy Linear Actuators
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