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Linear drives are an essential part of our modern technology. In every car, there is a dozen of different ways they are implemented, from an intrinsic component of an engine valve to a quality-of-life application as a window opener. So, you can imagine how many electric actuators have to be made to satisfy the demands of every industry.
If you want to be sure that the actuators you are using are top notch and won’t fail you, first you need to learn how actuators are made. If you’re really interested in the behind-the-scenes manufacturing process, we’re ready to help you out. Here is what you need to know about how to make linear actuator.
What Is an Electric Actuator?
Before jumping straight to the point of production, we need to know more about the product. So, what is an actuator? To put it simply, it’s a mechanism that moves something in a linear fashion. The most popular type of modern actuators is an electric actuator.
Electric drives convert the signal from a power source into linear motion of one of its parts (usually a cylinder). In most cases, it is achieved by applying an electric rotary motor to a system that translates the rotation into a straight motion.
Manufacture of Actuators
Now that we know about the basic parts an actuator consists of, we can finally get to the production line. The whole manufacturing process has to be well thought out to the tiniest detail by a professional engineer. Nowadays, a lot of parts of this process are automated. However, most of them still require at least some presence of a human being. Now, let’s examine each stage of the manufacturing:
1. Motor Production
An electric motor inside the actuator is made out of two elements: a stator and a rotor. The stator is a static part of the mechanism and it is made out of a permanent magnet. The rotor is a part that causes the movement of the system. It contains copper coils that are affected by the magnetic field formed by the stator.
Both parts of the motor and their assembly are done by robots. The automated system is much better at making each motor precise and well-fit. The parts are usually made at the same time to avoid differences in external parameters that may influence their compatibility.
2. Other Parts and Final Assembly
Most moving parts of the actuator are usually made at the same time as the motor. The outer frame is one of the only things that are pre-made.
Putting every part together is usually the job of a human being. An experienced worker can easily spot if a detail is flawed. Of course, they also have instruments and detailed instructions that help them to create a perfect product.
3. Testing
Before shipping the product off, we have to make sure that it complies with all the standards we’ve set up for it. So, we need to test it out.
The testing is also carefully monitored by a team of experts. They check if the actuator is accurate enough and whether it can work in harsh real-life conditions, like in high and low temperatures and pressure.
In Conclusion
The manufacture of actuators is a long and complicated process that requires accuracy, precision, and attention. As the demand for them rises, the overall process may change, but its core will surely stay the same. You can be sure that the linear actuator in your car or any other device is up to standards and had been tested multiple times before being shipped.
