FAQ

A cool-down time of minimum 30 minutes is recommended (recommended 60 minutes) between each activation for reliable test results. If this is not respected, the damping feature will be reduced as the heat inside the damper increases. This will result in a faster angular lowering speed of the back rest since there is less resistance in the total actuator system.

Using the cable relief prevents the cable plug from being pulled out of the TD1, which may lead to a malfunction or damage the plug. How to use the cable relief – watch the video. This product has been phased out. Please contact your local LINAK office if you need further assistance.

The efficiency of an actuator is directly related to the motor, the gears, and the spindle, and how these components work together. Because of the spindle and its shape, an electric actuator will always provide the same output power, regardless of the load applied, whereas a hydraulic or pneumatic system will provide a varied efficiency between push or pull. Even though the pressure in such a system is the same, the inside area through which the oil or air travels will be smaller when running inwards in pull, and the efficiency relatively lower than in push. Regardless of the load, an electric actuator can run at the same speed both in push and pull. With the actuator output power available, you can choose to move a high load at a low speed, or the other way around. If you multiply the load with the speed, you will get the output power required for the right movement – this will give you a good indication which actuator model you need. With a LINAK® actuator you can choose between different gears and spindle pitches to get the ideal solution. There are many different types of spindles and spindle nuts for electric linear actuators, and they are always selected based on the required load and performance of an actuator. For example, for lifting heavier loads, the nut must be longer to better distribute the load between the threads in the nut. Spindle geometry must be considered to obtain an optimal efficiency output of a spindle. Trapezodial, high profile and low profile are examples of spindle geometry used for LINAK industrial actuators.

Yes. All electric I/O actuators are prepared for parallel with the violet wire – which means that you can set up your actuator for parallel movement even if it was originally programmed as a single actuator. This way, you can easily stock several I/O full actuators and configure them for parallel movement later.

The ‘Parallel’ option is displayed on the left sidebar on the Actuator Connect™ screen. When selected, you can configure and change the number of linear actuators in the parallel system.

Learn how to mount the different versions of the hand control BP10 and the matching mounting bracket in upholstered furniture with LINAK^® systems.

To mount the Control unit you will need:

• Mounting bracket MB001
• One of the BP10 controls. This video shows the BP12.
• A screw driver
• Four screws. Countersunk 45°, flat head, max. ø3.5 mm.

1. Place the bracket in the bed where you want it to go. Use the screws to mount it firmly.
2. Place the metal plate in the bracket and click the top part in place on top of the metal plate. You will hear a click when it is in place.
3. Place the control unit in the bracket.

For more information, please visit our page about LINAK systems for residential furniture.

LINAK lifting Columns are hi-tech electrical devices able to convert rotational motion in low voltage DC motors into linear push/pull movement. Lifting columns are designed to deliver elegant height adjustment of modern office desks, a wide variety of workstations, couches and tables in hospitals and general healthcare and many other places.

You can run up to 8 actuators simultaneously, thereby enabling smooth synchronised movement. Parallel is ideal if you want to distribute a heavy load across multiple actuators or to avoid mechanical stress caused by bending on, for example, a hood lift. It is a prerequisite that the actuators have the same characteristics - both in terms of mechanics and configuration across all features.

It is not possible to replace a broken cable as they are fixed to the control box.

Please contact your local sales engineer at LINAK.

Due to the different mechanical kinematics of each application and the spindle pitch, it is not possible to indicate a minimum weight to be placed on the frame that will activate the damper. Instead, the force on the actuator can be indicative and a force of between 750 - 1300 N is needed to activate the damper.

The desk needs to be initialised.

Follow the procedure shown in the video.

Analogue signals are a common type of feedback signal for PLCs and other control systems in industrial applications. One of the most frequently used is a 0-10 V signal where this voltage range represents the physical stroke length of the actuator.

Keep in mind that this type of analogue feedback is susceptible to noise and voltage drops over long cable lengths, which in turn could lead to inaccurate position feedback. Another common analogue signal is current – often 4-20 mA – which is less susceptible to noise and of course also voltage drops.

For both current and voltage, the feedback range can be scaled specifically to your needs, which can make it easier to integrate into your controls.

A DC motor is a rotary machine that converts electric energy into mechanical energy.

Inside the stator, or the motor housing, the permanent magnets are mounted. These magnets create a constant magnetic field.

The armature consists of an electromagnetic coil connected to a DC power source, and running all through the motor is the shaft. The components all rotate inside the motor.

The two brushes touch the commutator that leads the DC power from the source to the electromagnetic coil.

Ball bearings ensure minimal friction between the shaft and the outer elements of the motor.

The user owns all data entered in/collected by the app. Delete the app to delete all data. Go to settings on your device to delete the app. If you re-install the app, you need to pair the app and the desk again to be able to control the desk via the app.

A plug and play solution is an easy-to-use option for quick and hassle-free actuator integration, which you can achieve by choosing a customised cable along with your industrial linear actuator. In most cases, all you need is an actuator with the preferred cable option and two bolts (one for the back fixture and one for the piston rod eye) – and your application will be up and running in no time.

The efficiency of a brushless motor is the relationship between power input and power output measured in watts.

The brushless motor is a highly efficient motor type with potential low energy loss from input to output.

The Hall effect sensors always know the position of the rotor, and therefore they can be used to regulate speed.

In the context of actuators, this means that you can obtain a constant speed even when increasing the load on the motor.

The clutch has two purposes:

It protects the industrial machinery and the actuator.The actuator can be used without control electronics.The clutch makes industrial electric linear actuators from LINAK® versatile and easy to implement in different machinery. In the actuator, the clutch can handle a push/pull of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times its rated load at nominal speed before the clutch disengages.

The clutch disengages the rotational movement from the motor to the spindle and the gear. It is important to emphasise, that this is not a safety feature for when a heavy load is applied, while the actuator is powered off. The clutch disengagement mechanism is only applied, when the motor is rotating (powered on).

The LINAK® dual actuators, or TWINDRIVE®, is an all-in-one solution where one unit offer two separate adjustments of a bed. The dual actuators are used to incorporate movement into an adjustable bed. We have optimised our dual actuators to ensure compatibility with most dual actuator bed frames, using standardised spacing between crossbars and universal twist bracket dimensions/designs found in the market.

The Bluetooth® Low Energy antenna is mounted on the PCB inside the actuator aluminium housing. The housing reduces the signal strength significantly, and it is therefore important to also insert the signal cable. The signal cable has a dedicated wire to boost the Bluetooth Low Energy signal, and if the cable is not inserted, the actuator will have problems establishing a connection. Make sure you also insert the signal cable to make the actuator appear on the device list in Actuator Connect.

Learning mode allows the actuator to learn a new endstop. The learning is based on predefined zones along the stroke length and a current limit to trigger the new endstop – like an obstruction. In some cases, it can be a good idea to add a ‘step back’ after meeting an obstruction – this allows you to set a new endstop slightly away from the mechanical block, which will potentially extend the service life of the actuator and provide smoother movement.

It is also possible to set speed for the actuator in learn mode – in case you would like it to run slower when learning an obstruction.

Learn mode can be performed directly in Actuator Connect™ or by shortening the red and black wires.

Activating learn mode by means of the wires allows you to easily start this process directly in the application – even multiple times throughout the actuator’s service life. The actuator will always keep the zone, speed, and current settings you specified, when it was ordered, or that you have configured in Actuator Connect and use these to set the new virtual limits.

Actuators must perform reliably in dynamic and challenging environments. In our test centre, we subject the actuators to both vibrations, shock/bump and drop tests.

In off-highway vehicles and outdoor machinery like agriculture and construction, repetitive shocks, vibrations, and bumps are an obvious part of the machinery’s everyday life.

To deliver solid performance for many years, LINAK industrial actuators are designed to absorb vibrations and tested rigorously to make sure they can withstand the stress of the rough terrain.

Watch how we test for vibration and shock resistance.

Generally, for LINAK® industrial actuators there are three cable types available: separate power and signal cables, a single cable for both power and signal, and a Y-cable.

Having separate power and signal cables increases flexibility and makes it easier to integrate actuators in various machinery. For example, you can have a power supply in one end and a motor control in the other end. For actuators with lower current consumption, a single cable can handle both power and signal. In other cases, an actuator may have a Y-cable, which is connected to the two connectors in the actuator, and a single plug for both power and signal in the other end.

Our lifting columns offer designer a lot of design freedom by offering a wide variety of profiles and colours among other things.

You can download a complete report as a PDF directly from Actuator Connect with general information about the actuator – type, position, last known status etc. – and comprehensive usage data that summarises all stored historical data – incl. error logs – over the entire lifespan of the actuator. You can use this data to analyse the performance of one electric actuator or compare several actuators.

The PDF also contains the actual wiring diagram and software configuration which can be used if you want to order new actuators or simply as a starting point for a technical discussion with your local LINAK contact.

A number of PCB features help protect the machinery running with a LINAK® industrial actuator. A pulse signal ensures the electronics are working properly, and the soft start/stop feature reduces the mechanical stress on the machinery and the actuator. This function is controlled by ramping up a PWM Motor Control signal and works in the same way as gradually releasing the clutch in a car.

Measuring current and temperature protects the PCB’s electronics and helps ensure reliable actuator performance. A microcontroller measures the current flowing through the H-bridge, and it shuts off the power if the current exceeds a predefined level. Sensors monitor both the H-bridge temperature and the ambient temperature inside the actuator housing and stop operation before the heat reaches damaging levels.

For EMC protection, the actuator PCB has a load dump functionality and a polarity protection. The load dump level for LINAK industrial actuators is predefined to 45 volts. If a voltage peak passes this level, the PCB will be shut off. Polarity protection ensures that the actuator is not damaged in case the power supply is wrongly connected.

Please contact your local sales engineer at LINAK.

The LINAK hand control for an adjustable bed does not work If you experience problems with the hand control for your adjustable bed, you need to contact the supplier from whom you purchased the bed.  LINAK does not sell spare parts directly to the person who owns the bed.

Learn how to see if your recliner has a LINAK® system.

You can usually see if a system is produced by LINAK by looking at the SMPS or under the batteries in the hand control.

Yes! LINAK® is aware that not every project requires the full range of I/O options.

Therefore, you might experience that some features are locked in Actuator Connect™, if the actuator is a Basic or Customised version.

All the features can still be explored, but configurations and changes cannot be applied.

When you want full access to the entire range of possibilities, simply request an unlock key from your local LINAK office. Provide them with the actuator W/O# number (found on product label or in Actuator Connect), and request a key*.

Once this key is received, it is easy to make the upgrade in Actuator Connect.

*Please note that there is a one-time fee for each actuator upgrade.

Controlling an actuator is based on an integrated controller or H-bridge, that changes the polarity of the voltage to the DC motor. Here you can benefit from low-current switching, since a high digital signal of only a few mA will cause the actuator to run.

The integrated H-bridge opens a variety of control options from the PCB such as speed and ramping.

This is the H-bridge, and in the middle is the power connection to the motor's positive and negative terminals. Four switches, in this case transistors, are connected to the power supply at the top and in the bottom of the H-bridge. These transistors replace the functionality of mechanical relays. The H-bridge controls the in and out movements of an actuator in a fairly simple way. When power is on two of the transistors must be activated to make the current flow diagonally – past the motor connection – making the motor run in one direction. To change directions, the current flow must be changed by deactivating the previously activated two transistors and activating the other two.

If you close switch 1 and 4, you have positive connected to the left side of the motor and negative to the other side, and the motor will start spinning in one direction.

If you instead close switch 2 and 3, you have positive connected to the right side and negative to the left side, and the motor spins in the opposite direction.

The actuator must be initialised on a regular basis to ensure accurate position feedback. This is typically achieved by a physical endstop switch in both directions, but the accuracy can be reduced over time due to mechanical wear of the switches.

The I/O actuator, however, uses a new initialisation principle called ‘zero point’. With zero point, the position is initialised every time the piston passes a zone from 35-70 mm on the stroke without having to run the actuator to the physical endstops.

By substituting the electromechanical switches with a Hall-based system, the I/O actuator is better geared for operation in challenging industrial environments.

It is currently not possible.

A dual linear actuator is mounted on crossbars with twist brackets on. This means that the rotational movement created by a dual actuator pushes the twist bracket in a way that rotates the cross bar which then in turn moves some part of an adjustable bed.

The Desk Control App for Windows is only available for Windows 10 in the Microsoft Store. If you have an older Windows version, you cannot download the Desk Control App.

Actuator housings are typically made of either plastic or aluminium. Actuators with plastic housings are suitable for a wide range of mainly indoor applications. Aluminium housings help protect an actuator from harsh environments, such as fluctuating temperatures, chemicals, high forces, and vibrations.

An actuator with plastic housing is very suitable for use in a wide range of machinery. It should be noted that in case of frequent temperature fluctuations, plastic relaxation can occur, and the actuator's ingress protection can diminish over time. If used in harsh environments, an industrial actuator with an aluminium housing is recommendable.

An actuator with aluminium housing offers a high IP rating, and its form is unaffected by prolonged temperature fluctuations or chemicals, making it ideal for use in harsh environments.

There are many benefits of using an aluminium housing, and if the actuator is intended to operate under tough use conditions, then you should always take the housing design into consideration.

You can use the app if your desk has Bluetooth® connection. The Bluetooth connection happens via a DPG desk panel with reminder (all app versions) or a BLE2LIN adapter (iOS, Android and Windows 10). If you have a DPG without Bluetooth, you cannot use the app.

Any of our comfort furniture hand controls or control panels can be customised. For more details, please visit our page about customising controls.

However, customisation options vary depending on applications and business areas. Therefore, simply reach out to your local LINAK® subsidiary for more specific information about your possibilities.

This type of actuator can be wirelessly connected to a PC via Bluetooth®, or you can connect with a USB cable kit (sold separately). Whether you are going for the wireless or cabled connection, the first step is to apply either 24 V or 48 V power to the actuator (see the product label for further information).

Connect the signal cable to the actuator to ensure a stable Bluetooth connection. By default, the I/O actuator will be listed on the device list with its unique serial number (W/O#) and a Bluetooth symbol.

The USB cable kit includes two cables: a y-cable to be connected to both cable inputs of the actuator (power and signal), and a USB cable with an ethernet adapter that must be connected to the y-cable. If the same actuator is connected via the USB cable kit, it will also be shown with a USB symbol – note that in this case the name is linked to the USB cable and not the actuator itself.

Wait a few seconds for Actuator Connect to connect to the actuator and be ready for configuration.

LINAK offers start settings (ramp-up) and stop settings (ramp-down) of the electric actuator as an alternative to an instant stop. With ramp-up and ramp-down, the actuator slowly accelerates to full speed when starting movement or slowly decelerates from full speed when stopping. With this feature you avoid bouncing and achieve smooth operation.

You can choose to go with the LINAK default settings or your own ramp speed setting. This feature provides smoother movement and reduces strain on the application, significantly extending the actuator service life.

Contact the place you purchased your recliner. LINAK® does not sell the controls directly to consumers.

The B10 Life value is found by testing groups of actuators at a certain load.

In real life however, many applications have load profiles, which means that the actuator has varying loads throughout the stroke.

In these cases, we need to determine the equivalent load to find the B10 Life.

You can learn how that is done in this video.

Machinery working in highly corrosive environments, such as agriculture and marine industries, require reliable movement solutions that are resistant towards a wide range of chemicals, fertilisers, and salt. To confirm effective and long-term reliability throughout their service life, LINAK industrial actuators undergo a series of harsh corrosion tests.

The actuators are exposed to salt vapours, chemical substances, diesel oil, hydraulic fluid, and more. All these substances affect both the plastic and metal part of the actuators.

Watch how we test for salt and chemicals resistance.

A common type of linear actuator is an electric linear actuator. It is made up of three main components: spindle, motor and gears. The motor can be AC or DC depending on the power needs and other influencing factors.

Once a signal is sent by the operator, which can be through a control as simple as a button, the motor converts the electric energy into mechanical energy, rotating the gears connected to the spindle. This rotates the spindle and causes the spindle nut and piston rod to travel outwards or inwards depending on the signal to the actuator.

As a rule of thumb, a high thread count and smaller spindle pitch will cause slow movement but a much higher load capacity. On the other hand, a low thread count, and higher spindle pitch, will favour fast movement of lower loads.

Visit the Actuator Academy™ and explore the aspects of what makes an actuator ideal for use with industrial machinery and discover the technology behind it.

Electric linear actuators increase efficiency and give users precision movement through a variety of control options and accessories. Control options for electric linear actuators include handsets, footswitches, desk controls, computer software, mobile apps and much more.

With no need for hoses, oils, or valves, electric linear actuators require no maintenance and create a safe environment for users. High-quality electric actuators are also put through a variety of tests that push the actuators to extremes. This is done to ensure optimal performance at any given time in any situation. They are also designed, along with their accessories, to be easily mounted and installed in a variety of applications,

making it easy for anyone to add precision movement where they need it. Being electric enables the addition of smart features like CAN bus (LINAK offers CAN SAE J1939 and CANopen for actuator controls). Integrated Controller (IC) solutions can provide various position feedback options, virtual limits, soft start and stop, current limitation, and adjustable speed.

At LINAK we work with two types of dual actuators: Standard and Advanced.

The Standard versions offer back and leg adjustment with only one unit as well as the following integrated features: mechanical emergency lowering, low stand by power consumption and integrated under bed light.

The Advanced versions of the LINAK dual actuator offer the same features as the Standard version – and then something extra. In addition, they offer the option of parallel drive of two beds, the possibility of saving favourite positions and adding extra accessories such as massage motors or extra under bed light.

You can tell the Standard and Advanced versions apart by looking at the plugs. If there is an available plug after having connected the power cord – you have an advanced version.

Your Bluetooth® driver may be outdated. Ensure that the latest Bluetooth driver is installed on your computer.

A brushless DC motor, also known as a BLDC motor, is driven by direct current (or DC electricity) and uses an electronically controlled commutations system.

Like all motors, a brushless motor has a stator and a rotor as its major parts. The rotor is made of permanent magnets, and the outer part – the stator – has several copper windings depending on the number of magnetic poles on the rotor. These windings are placed in slots which are axially cut along the inner periphery of the stator.

The motor is running when the rotor is spinning inside of the stator. Electronics make the rotor spin by inducing a series of magnetic fields in the copper windings that can push and pull the permanent magnets in a sequence that ensures a continuous rotation.

It is important, that the actuators can perform reliably throughout their service life. All LINAK electric actuators, regardless of size and model, are subjected to durability tests.

Industrial applications are very different in terms of functionality, and LINAK actuators must support the required variations in movement patterns and performances in these applications, whether it is steady lifting of heavy loads or frequent operation. And the actuators must be able to do this throughout their maintenance-free service life. This is why LINAK industrial actuators are thoroughly tested for mechanical durability.

Watch how we test for mechanical durability.

LINAK offers a wide range of control options to suit different needs and applications:

• Classic control: DP, DP1 CS
  The classic controls are mounted underneath the tabletop and offer a slim look with the classic up/down buttons as well as the option of saving a few memory positions.
• Simple control: DPA, DPB, DPG, DPH
  The simple controls are very discreet desk panels, mounted under the tabletop, where you can adjust the table up and down.Touch control: DPTThe touch controls are integrated in the table top to make the touch buttons easily accessible. It also comes with memory function and uses a display to show both actual height, diagnostics and error codes.
• Intuitive control with Bluetooth: DPG1M, DPG1C, DPG1B
  The intuitive controls with Bluetooth is mounted under the table top and are activated by tilting the panel. The integrated reminder function and lights help the users get the most out of their sit stand table.
• Desk Control App
  The Desk Control App is an app which communicates with the desk panel to help the user get as much as possible out of their sit stand desk. With motivational notifications and statistics

Controlling an electric linear I/O actuator is based on an integrated controller or H-bridge that switches the polarity of the voltage to the DC motor. Here you can benefit from low-current switching, since a high digital signal of only a few mA will cause the actuator to run.

The integrated H-bridge opens a variety of control options from the PCB, such as speed and ramping.

The H-bridge has four switches, in this case transistors, that are connected to the power supply at the top and the bottom of the H-bridge. These transistors replace mechanical relays. The H-bridge controls the in-and-out movement of an actuator in a fairly simple way. When power is on – two of the transistors must be activated to make the current flow diagonally past the motor connection – making the motor run in one direction.

LINAK industrial actuators are always tested with the cable mounted before leaving the production. This ensures that the actuator connection is correct and working.

For an actuator to comply with the IP69K rating (Ingress Protection), there must always be an overmolding at the end of the cable.

To retain the high IP rating, it is important to take precautions and design the wire connection to the machinery in a way, where the cable end is kept inside a closed, protected area. This will prevent water spraying from entering the connector and further into the actuator.

On LINAK industrial actuators, the cabling and housing are designed, so the cable can be replaced without affecting the IP rating.

Learn how to mount the charging point CP002 and CP003 in a recliner with LINAK® systems.

To mount the CP002 and CP003, you will need to drill a hole into the surface where you want to use it. For CP002, drill a 24-mm hole and for the CP003 drill a 30-mm hole.From the back, push the ring over the charging point until it is fastened tight to the fabric. You will hear a click.The inner ring of the Charging Point will light up when connected to power to indicate the charging.For more information about the LINAK Recliner system, please visit the recliner application page.

Yes, it is possible to customise any of the LINAK® comfort furniture hand controls and control panels for either adjustable comfort beds or adjustable recliner chairs. In other words: you can define the look of the control unit so it matched your brand or furniture.

For more details, please visit our page about customising controls.

Example of a customer logo on some of our hand controls and control panels.

Self-locking ability is one of the key selling points for electric actuators, as it prevents the actuator from back driving. In LINAK® actuators, self-locking ability is defined by the actuator being able to run with a full load and duty cycle; and when stopped, it will move a maximum of one spindle revolution before the actuator is locked in full stop.

There are several factors that influences the self-locking ability of an actuator. Spindle type and spindle nut, gear box and brake design, and DC motor control are just some of the main design considerations that affects the actuator’s ability to withstand loads when stopped.

Just like we offer real-time charts, you can get real-time information about the electric actuator’s current consumption or temperature via an analogue or digital signal directly to your PLC.

By using the analogue output, you can get a real-time view of the exact values – presented as either a 0-10 V or 4-20 mA signal (ranges can be customised).

With the digital signal, you can monitor a predefined range and be alerted if the measured values are outside of this range.

Yes! I/O actuators offer various wiring possibilities for input and output. The functionality of these inputs and outputs can be customised directly in Actuator Connect™, and the wiring diagram is updated accordingly.

A total of 6 wires can be customised. Some of the wires are reserved for a specific functionality and cannot be changed.

The current limiting algorithm describes the way the electric actuator responds to an obstruction. Or in other words, how it detects an obstruction and how fast it responds to it.

If the actuator’s current consumption rises above the set limit, the actuator regulates and tries to keep it below the set current limit by means of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which is used to regulate the motor speed. The actuator does this continually until the actuator stops moving (mechanically blocked) – determined by monitoring the Hall feedback signal. If there are no Hall pulses during a set time frame, the actuator stops.

This video shows you how to disassemble a LINAK® Kick & Click™ height adjustable office desk. It is fast, easy and intuitive. If you have any questions about disassembling, please see the Kick & Click user manual or contact your local LINAK sales representative.

Learn how to assemble the LA10 actuator system for adjustable beds.

The system in the video consist of the following:

• Single actuator LA10
• Bluetooth^® dongle
• Mounting bracket MB001 (mounting this is described in Mounting the control unit for LA10)
• Charging point CP002
• Connection cable
• Safety release cable
• Power cable
• SMPS006
• Charging cable

1. Plug the Bluetooth^® dongle into the LA10 actuator - you know it is in place when you hear a click.
2. Connect the two LA10 actuator with the connection cable.
3. Connect the Charging Point to the actuator LA10 using the remaining free slot.
4. Connect the power cable to the power supply SMPS006.
5. Plug the charging cable into the SMPS006 and connect the safety release cable..
6. Connect the safety release cable to the charging point.
7. You now have an assembled system for adjustable residential beds.

For more information, please visit our page about LINAK^® systems for residential furniture.

The B10 Life values depend on many factors like temperature, vibration, load etc. that can all affect the lifetime of the actuator. At LINAK®, the current B10 Life values are solely based on the load.

To determine the B10 Life of an actuator, we test a number of actuators – with the exact same specification and in identical scenarios – and let the test run until all the actuators fail. Upon completion of the test, the B10 Life curves can be generated based on the results.

You can get more details in the video below.

Information about the actuator position can be output as either an analogue or digital signal. Both options are offered to ensure compatibility with various PLCs and preferences.

If you compare the two signal types, there are various pros and cons to consider. As an example, the analogue signal is more prone to noise compared to a digital signal – but under the right conditions, it can also be highly accurate.

The digital signal can be used for more than just the piston position, as it can also be used for endstop signals, constant signal during operation and many other features.

Our testing in environments with fluctuating temperatures and humidity ensures reliable performance of the actuators under harsh conditions. Also, special test patterns, such as dunk tests, are used to cover very demanding applications in the test plan.

To achieve optimal actuator performance, you need a stable power supply, the right cabling and the right input voltage:

A stable power supply: Should match the nominal voltage of the motor.

Cabling: The shorter and thicker the cables, the less resistance there is for the input current to reach the DC motor.

Input voltage: In case you choose to run a DC motor with over or undervoltage, it can overload the motor.

The functionality of a DC motor is based on the principle of induction. Induction is the current that is generated inside the magnetic field, when the inductor or magnetic field rotates.

When current flows through the armature coil, an electromagnetic force is induced, and the coil begins to rotate.

When the coil reaches the opposite magnetic field, the commutator rings will touch the power source of the opposite polarity. This means that the electromagnetic pull will change direction, and the coil will continue to rotate in the same direction.

One of the most important things to know about an actuator is its position. The physical position of a PCB controlled linear actuator is based on Hall effect sensors, counting the number of pulses per spindle revolution.

Traditionally, electrical switches were mounted at each end of the spindle which calibrated the positioning system every time a physical end stop was reached. To ensure reliable position feedback from the actuator, it was required to have at least one of these end-stop switches activated on a regular basis. If not, the position feedback could drift over time due to Hall pulses on the encoder being missed, predominantly while powered down.

Because of this limitation, an application where the actuator did not make use of the full stroke could result in inaccurate position feedback over time.

A new initialisation principle, developed by LINAK®, has changed the way linear motion can be initialised. It takes advantage of a small magnet mounted in the spindle nut, which moves past two Hall sensors on the actuator PCB located early in the stroke length at what we call the “zero” point. The sensors react when the magnet in the spindle nut passes by – thereby creating two Hall signals. The microprocessor checks for the intersection of the two magnetic fields and uses the intersection as a reference point for initialisation.

It is currently not possible

Please contact your local sales engineer at LINAK.

The spindle pitch is the distance that a nut travels when rotating 360 degrees on a spindle. So, if the spindle pitch is 12 mm, it means that the nut travels 12 mm on one spindle revolution.

The higher the spindle pitch, the more efficient the actuator becomes since there is less friction between the nut and the spindle.

There are many types of gears in electric linear actuators, but the two gear types, plastic and steel gears, are commonly used for industrial actuators. Both types of gears come in different forms:

Spur gear is characterised by having straight teeth. Spur gears have a high efficiency, even in environments with high temperatures. However, the high efficiency comes at a cost, since these gears generate more noise compared to other types.Helical gear is a good choice, when you want a smooth and silent operation. However, these gears offer a lower efficiency compared to the spur gears, and the axial thrust of the gear shafts generate heat, which must be considered in the overall actuator design.Worm gear makes it possible to reduce the noise by increasing the gear ratio before running the actuator. Increasing the gear ratio equals using a gear wheel with a larger diameter. Worm gears of plastic often have a low efficiency, since this type of gearing is self-locking. If you need to further increase the self-locking ability, it will in some cases be necessary to add a brake.Planetary gear is made from smaller gears circling a larger gear wheel. Typically, this type of gearing is very robust and efficient due to the equal distribution of force through the gear wheels. It provides a high gear ratio in a compact size and is used in several industrial actuators.

To initialise the desk, drive downwards, press and hold the tilt until movement has been performed. To adjust the desk, tilt the panel down for driving downwards and up for driving upwards.

Learn how to mount the different versions of the hand control BP10 and the matching mounting bracket in a recliner with LINAK^® systems.

To mount the Control unit you will need:

• Mounting bracket MB001
• One of the BP10 controls. This video shows the BP12.
• A screw driver
• Four screws. Countersunk 45°, flat head, max. ø3.5 mm.

1. Place the bracket in the recliner where you want it to go. Use the screws to mount it firmly.
2. Place the metal plate in the bracket and click the top part in place on top of the metal plate. You will hear a click when it is in place.
3. Place the control unit in the bracket.

For more information about the LINAK Recliner system, please visit the recliner application page.

Predefined positions are useful, if you want to move to the exact same position every time. This can for instance be controlled by push buttons or entered as a command on your PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The digital input signal should remain high, until the target position has been reached, but it will not move beyond that point.

If the recommended cooling time between each activation is not observed, the lowering speed will be faster each time the damper is activated. If the actuator is subjected to a higher load than specified, it will result in higher lowering speed.

LINAK industrial actuators are tested for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in accordance with a wide range of industrial standards. This is done to ensure actuator immunity to electromagnetic interference, and to certify that radiated emissions from the actuator do not affect the industrial machinery.

Dual actuators from LINAK only use wireless control options. The integrated Bluetooth® communication allows you to pair the electric actuator system with either one of our wireless hand controls, the LINAK Bed Control App or your own customised app.

Yes, in Actuator Connect™ you can ‘Save configuration’. This is especially useful, if you are testing various features on a prototype and would like to make a backup of the configuration. Indeed a time-saving feature for e.g. parallel systems, as you do not have to configure every single feature on all actuators.

Yes, it is possible to alter the colour of any of the LINAK® comfort furniture hand controls and control panels for either adjustable comfort beds or adjustable recliner chairs. In other words: you can define the look of the control unit so it matched your brand or furniture.

For more details on what else you can customise, please visit our page about customising controls.

Example of a different colour on some of our hand controls and control panels.

Electric linear actuators are used in everything from private homes, the offices where we work, all areas of a hospitals, in production in factories, to farming equipment, and many other places. LINAK electric actuators create adjustment in both desks, kitchens, beds, and couches, as well as hospital beds, patient lifts, surgery tables among others in for example hospitals and medical centres.

Electric linear actuators can also replace hydraulic and pneumatic solutions in industrial and rugged environments – for example those found in agriculture, construction, and in industrial automation equipment.

We are always happy to talk to you about new projects. The best way to start is to submit a contact form.

There are pros and cons with any type of gear for actuators.

When comparing plastic gears to steel gears, plastic gears generally have lower efficiency and are more sensitive to high temperatures. However, if an actuator is used within its specifications, for instance, by running the actuator to its end stop each time or by avoiding mechanical blocking, the gear material will not be affected and will not influence the actuator’s overall performance or service life negatively.

Plastic gears are low-noise, which make them suitable for environments and applications where a low noise level is important.

Industrial actuators can be used in harsh environments with heavy loads, many duty cycles, or high temperatures. In such cases, steel gearing, including spur and planetary gears, prove the necessary robustness and efficiency needed for optimal actuator performance. Steel gears are not limited by fixed duty cycle restrictions, as the generated heat from a moving actuator will rarely reach levels high enough to harm the gear material.

Still, most LINAK® industrial actuators have a set duty cycle of 20% to ensure that generated heat will not affect other actuator components.

The LINAK® hand controls or control panels for comfort furniture all have one or more standard colours. However, it is possible to alter the colour of any of the LINAK comfort furniture hand controls and control panels for either adjustable comfort beds or adjustable recliner chairs. This can be done with our standard customisation where you can define the look of the control unit so it matches your brand or furniture.

For more details on what else you can customise, please visit our page about customising controls.

Example of a different colour on some of our hand controls.

B10 Life is a metric used for estimating time to failure. The metric specifies a statistic value for the service life.

Put in other words, for actuators the B10 Life will show the point in time when 10% of the products are in the risk of failing. At the same time, the B10 value also shows, when there is a 90% probability of the actuator to meet the expected B10 Life, when used in accordance with product specifications. Also, the actuators must be configured identically.

There is still a 10% risk that a component can fail before reaching its B10 Life, and therefore, the B10 Life should not be considered a guarantee.

The disc brake: The disc brake is normally stacked directly on the spindle, where the discs squeeze together around the spindle to stop the movement. Being placed in direct contact with the spindle exposes the brake to both high force and heat. This type of brake is a wear part that is designed and tested to match the actuator life. The location of the brake directly on the spindle should also be considered in relation to the actuator’s build-in dimensions.The single acting brake: The single acting brake contains an internal spring, which means that the brake works in one direction – either in push or pull. For an actuator with this type of brake it must be specified whether it needs to perform in push or in pull.The dual acting brake: The dual acting brake is a very strong brake. This type of brake is integrated in the industrial LINAK® actuators, as their high-efficiency performance require a brake ensuring a high self-locking ability. Actuators with a dual acting brake can run in both directions without activating the brake as long as the movement originates from the electric motor. If the movement originates from the spindle, and in either direction, the brake will activate and keep the actuator in position.

Yes, you will need to buy a port repeater such as a MJB2/MJB5

It is possible to add a safety nut in an actuator, for machinery where safety is a high priority. If, for example, the thread inside the nut on the spindle wears off due to wear and tear, the nut will immediately carry the full load and the actuator travels inwards. In this case, the actuator can no longer run outwards, and it must be replaced.

If you need a new hand control for your adjustable bed, contact the supplier from whom you purchased the bed.  This applies whether you have lost your hand control, the hand control is broken or if the battery has run out of power and the battery cannot be exchanged. The supplier will assist you in ordering a new hand control - LINAK does not sell spare parts directly to the person who owns the bed.

The anti-collision feature in various sit stand desks is basically a feature that prevents your desk from continuing to run if it were to run into something. Instead it will stop and run a little backwards. This is how it will minimise the damage.

If you want to know more about our different types of anti-collision solutions please follow the links below:

• PIEZO : anti-collision system
• DS1 : gyroscope-based solution

If you open the Actuator Connect™ configurator and the monitor option, ‘Real-time Charts’ is the first tab that appears. There are five things you can monitor in real-time on the graph:

Position in mmTemperature in °CVoltageCurrentSpeed in mm/sBy conducting actuator test runs, it is possible to get an indication of how well the electric actuator can handle the real-world conditions it has been designed for.

For example: Do you have enough power? Or is the power consumption constantly maxed out? Or even noticing a current spike at a particular movement that you did not expect? The real-time data can help you review the mechanical design of the application and drive continuous improvements.

The B10 Life values can help you design your application. At LINAK®, the values offer a lifetime estimate for electric linear actuators used in an application, such as off-highway vehicles, industrial automation applications, and agricultural machinery. B10 life not only helps in selecting which actuator to use – it can also be an invaluable tool for predicting maintenance.

When we talk about comfort zone regulation, we talk about using an electric linear actuator to change the firmness of a mattress in specific zones. We use Baselift™ actuators under a bed to push upwards and thereby make a mattress increasingly firm in the corresponding area. The most common way is to place the Baselift™ actuators under the bed or build them into the bed frame in a way that allows the actuator to push upwards into the mattress when it is extended. The number of Baselift™ actuators and the exact setup will vary depending on the number of comfort zones and possible adjustments a customers want in their solution.

Learn more about comfort zone regulations.

BLDC motors have a longer service life. Unlike a motor with brushes, the brushless motor does not have constant physical contact between the brushes and the commutator. As there is no friction wearing down the brushes, the brushless motor has a significantly longer service life than a motor with brushes.

Yes. You can define the shape of a LINAK® comfort furniture hand control and control panel for either adjustable beds or recliner chairs with our Advanced customisation. You simply partner up with us to define a hand control look and functionality which matches your brand or furniture design.

For more details on what else you can customise, please visit our page about customising controls.

At LINAK^®, we currently supply actuators with two different CAN bus software versions - v1.x or v3.x.

Determine the actuator version with the LINAK BusLink software
Connect the actuator to the BusLink software to verify the correct software version. When the actuator is connected you can find the ‘Connection Information’ tab. In the example below, the LA36 CAN bus actuator has version 3.0.

For further information, please see the BusLink service interface chapter in the CAN bus user manual.

What is the difference between version 1.x and version 3.x?
On CAN bus v3.0, we have introduced several new functionalities - such as hardware addressing, dynamic speed adjustment, soft start/stop commands and increased compatibility (125 kbps, 250 kbps, 500 kbps and Autobaud).Please note that the soft start/stop now needs to be defined in the CAN bus command (in version 3.x). If left at 0, it will result in no ramping. If set to 251 it will use the actuator’s predefined factory settings. Any number in between will set the ramping time.

For further information, please see the Communication chapter in the CAN bus user manual.

BusLink quick guide
Find a guide on how to use the BusLink programme for your actuator.

The efficiency of a DC motor is the ratio between the input power and the output power measured in Watt. And the power input is proportional to the load that must be moved. Many of the motor parts have a negative impact on the motor’s efficiency resulting in heat being generated. This is also true for very high or low ambient temperatures that are often present in the working environments of industrial actuators.

Learn how to assemble the LA10 actuator system for recliners without a battery.

The system in the video consist of the following:

Single actuator LA10Mounting bracket MB001 (mounting this is described in Mounting the control unit for LA10)Charging point CP002Connection cableSafety release cablePower cableSMPS006Charging cablePlug the Bluetooth® dongle into the LA10 actuator - you know it is in place when you hear a click.Connect the two LA10 actuator with the connection cable.Connect the Charging Point to the actuator LA10 using the remaining free slot.Connect the power cable to the power supply SMPS006.Plug the charging cable into the SMPS006 and connect the safety release cable..Connect the safety release cable to the charging point.You now have an assembled system for reclinersFor more information about the LINAK® Recliner system, please visit the recliner application page.

Yes. You can define the functionality of a LINAK comfort furniture hand control and control panel for either adjustable beds or recliner chairs with our Advanced customisation. However, functionality will be defined by the actuator system you choose to use in your furniture.

You simply partner up with us to define a hand control look and functionality which matches the actuator system you are using as well as your brand or furniture design.

For more details on what else you can customise, please visit our page about customising controls.

Yes, it is possible to change buttons on any of our LINAK® hand controls and control panels for comfort furniture such as adjustable beds and recliner chairs.

With standard customisation you can change both the colour and icons/graphics on the buttons. With our advanced customisation options you can partner with us and dig deeper in customisation to define everything such as placement, shape etc.

For more details about customisation, please visit our page about customising controls.

Learn how to pair the BP10 control to a recliner with a LINAK® system.

(Re)connect the system to power.Press the two top buttons of the control unit at the same time.Your control is now paired to the system and is ready for use.For more information about the LINAK recliner system, please visit the recliner application page.

The app detects if the smart device/computer is close enough to the desk to be connected to it. The app will only send notifications if the connection between the app and the desk is established.

Machinery operating in humid, wet or dusty environments must perform reliably in spite of environmental challenges. Ingress protection tests are therefore a crucial part of the testing programme for LINAK industrial actuators. This is how we make sure our electric actuators are robust and operate reliably, even when exposed to high-pressure cleaning and dusty environments.

Watch how we conduct Ingress Protection testing.

For applications where downtime is not an option, LINAK offers error codes as a digital output for easy troubleshooting.

During a 10 second time frame, you can read out error codes on the digital output. The actuator will send a number of pulses to your controller (PLC) depending on the error type – following the patterns in the table shown in the below video or on this troubleshooting page.

Error codes take up one of the digital outputs, which means that you can still use the other output for position feedback or endstop signals.

Beds can be designed in many ways, but for adjustable beds the choice is typically between single actuator systems, dual actuator systems or a combination of both. However, the bed frames for each of these systems are very different.

For electric dual actuator systems the bed frame simply needs to have the standard spacing between the crossbars responsible for adjusting the back or leg part of a bed. This crossbar must also have twist brackets mounted so the dual actuators have something to push to make movement.

In this video you can see how mounting happens.

There are many types and sizes of electric linear actuators. From small and compact that fit into tight spaces, such as in wheelchairs, to large and powerful to move heavy items like a wheel loader engine hood. In addition to size and power, there are also many different designs of electric linear actuators.

The original design has a motor housing that is outside of the gear and spindle profile. But when space is limited, an inline actuator is used so that the motor only extends the shape of the profile. For desks and some medical applications, lifting columns are used for an inline motor housing with two and three-stage options.

Since the founder and CEO of LINAK, Bent Jensen, made his first electric linear actuator in 1979, the company has continued to develop new actuators and refine the innovative technology behind them to improve movement solutions for several industries.LINAK designs and manufactures many types of linear actuators and lifting columns with various speeds, stroke lengths, and capacities. From the compact, inline LA20 to the robust LA36, LINAK actuators are built to fit almost any application.

With an almost endless list of customisation options to help design an actuator specifically to fit unique applications, the range of LINAK actuators is even greater than the vast product range listed.

The use of any actuator is a question of how creative one is. However, the Baselift™ actuator was developed with a specific use in mind – to lift a wider surface vertically to 100 mm. In other words, such a function can be added in many different types of furniture.

At LINAK® we have focused mainly on three applications:

Kitchens - adjusting height of different elements.
Retail store counters – adjusting the height.
Comfort beds – adjusting the mattress firmness with comfort zone regulation.

The design of actuator housings is highly influential when it comes to the performance of the actuators: The back fixture can either be welded on the housing itself or be attached as a separate stainless-steel back-fixture.

In either case, the push/pull forces created when moving a load will travel differently through the actuator and its housing. Actuators handling higher loads are usually designed with a separate back fixture to ensure that the housing is not directly exposed to the force. Higher loads in combination with vibrations can damage the housing and reduce the actuator’s ingress protection.

Actuators for operation in harsh environments, such as high or low temperatures, corroding chemicals, or vibrations, must be designed accordingly.

Industrial actuators include several features that help ensure their durability and the highest possible Ingress Protection rating (IP69K): aluminium housings, coated PCBs to protect the electronics, polished inner tubes to reduce the moisture ingress, specially selected cork sealings for harsh environments and dust explosive environments (ATEX and IECEx).

The surface of aluminium housings for LINAK® industrial actuators is resistant to corrosion, and cables are easily replaced without compromising the actuator’s IP rating. In certain cases, where an actuator is in touch with extremely corrosive materials or exposed to vapours, such as fertilizers and ammoniac, we recommend choosing an anodised housing, as it comes with a special coating.

No. For actuators with integrated controller the clutch is an unnecessary component. Instead, actuators with IC Integrated Controller™ use a current limit to ensure that the actuator automatically stops, if it meets an obstacle or other resistance in the application. Current limits are designed to help protect both the application and the actuator.

The I/O actuator can be controlled with an analogue signal. In this case, the input is variable and not just simply on or off. The analogue input signal can be used to control either position or speed.

Servo control is used to control the actuator position. This is done with an analogue input, such as 4-20 mA, which covers the entire actuator stroke length. This is especially relevant in applications where the actuator has to move to several target positions during normal operation.

Proportional control is similar to servo, but instead of controlling the piston position, the analogue signal controls the speed and direction of the actuator. A common type of proportional control is the joystick, where the middle position is neutral and moving it backwards or forwards will move the actuator in equivalent direction.

The purpose of using a brake in an actuator is to ensure the actuator stays in its set position, when the power is turned off. There are three ways of ensuring a brake functionality in an actuator. Either the actuator is self-locking, which means that it does not need a brake to keep its position when power is off. Or it is necessary to integrate a mechanical or an electrical brake in the actuator. LINAK® actuators are either self-locking or feature different versions of mechanical brakes.

Parallel works as a ‘critical’ system, which indicates that all actuators must be present in the system before it allows movement. The parallel system is controlled by a master which is the actuator with the highest serial number. The master commands the followers to move and receives status messages to ensure that the system is allowed to run only if everything is functioning properly. If it detects a malfunction or one of the following actuators struggles to keep up, the master will slow down so that the whole system follows the slowest in the system. For instance, if the load is not evenly distributed in the application.

The question about which dual actuator is best depends entirely on the bed you want to integrate movement into. Therefore, it is not possible to say which LINAK dual actuator is best for your bed design.

First, you will need to know how much force your bed design requires. For heavy constructions and mattresses, we recommend TD5, whereas for slatted beds with lighter mattresses, we recommend TD4.

Secondly, you will need to know which features you want your bed to have. For all the standard features the standard version of the dual actuator is fine. However, should you require an extra actuator, parallel drive of two beds, and also want to offer the possibility of saving favorite positions, you will need an advanced dual actuator.

To find out exactly which system fits your requirements, our sales people are always ready to help you find the right solution.

A linear actuator is a device or machine that converts rotational motion into linear motion and linear movement (in a straight line). This can be done through electric AC and DC motors, as we do at LINAK, or the movement could be powered by hydraulics and pneumatics.

However, electric linear actuators are a preferred option when precise and clean movement is needed. They are used for all types of applications where tilting, lifting, pulling or pushing with force is needed.

In some cases, there may be external factors that need to be in place before the actuator can run. You can use a third digital input as an external precondition to allow movement.

A signal from for instance an external sensor can be connected directly to the actuator to verify whether these conditions are established before it runs.

You can customise any of the LINAK® comfort furniture hand controls for adjustable comfort beds. We offer both standard customisation of existing hand controls, and advanced customisation where we partner up to start a hand control from scratch.

For more details about customisation, please visit our page about customising controls.

Example of customisation of a comfort beds hand control.

You can customise any of the LINAK® comfort furniture hand controls or control panels for adjustable recliner chairs. We offer both standard customisation of existing hand controls or control panels, and advanced customisation where we partner up to start from scratch.

For more details about customisation, please visit our page about customising controls.

Example of customisation of a recliner hand control and control panel

It is currently not possible

Please contact your local sales engineer at LINAK.

The stroke length of an actuator refers to the maximum distance the actuator will move or extend. This is the range of linear motion from its fully retracted position to its fully extended position. In essence, it is a measure of how far the actuator's rod or piston can travel in a single motion.

The stroke length of an actuator depends on the length of the spindle. LINAK actuators are generally very versatile and stroke lengths up to 1.20 meters can be specified according to customer requests. But, when considering actuators with long stroke lengths, there are some limitations. When running long strokes in push, we reduce the maximum load specification. The reason is that the higher the load and the further away from the inner position the nut travels on the spindle, the bigger the strain is on the actuator.

The clutch disengages when the torque exceeds a pre-set limit. This happens, if the torque from the motor gets too high when running the actuator; the spring plate cannot hold the load and the ball bearings will be pushed out of their notches.

The clutch disengages, as the plates turn without creating movement, which means that the clutch disengages.

When the torque is lowered, the ball bearings will fall into place, and the torque will transfer into a linear movement again.

And in that way it protects the actuator and application in case of overload.

The Graduate Programme is a two-year programme where Graduates get the opportunity to develop themselves through a steep learning curve working on different projects within different areas of the business. The Graduate Programme is designed individually to kickstart newly educated Graduates’ career.

We offer four different tracks in our LINAK Graduate Programme:

Operations, which will typically include production, logistics, optimisation, and automationSales, which will typically include consumer growth, marketing, market analysis and customer analysis.R&D, which will typically include concept and product development, project management and mechanical and electrical engineering.IT, the brand-new IT graduate programme will depend on your background and preferences. There are different directions within IT that you can be involved in during your LINAK Graduate Programme – e.g. ERP, CRM, PLM, Digital Production, BI/Big Data/AI.

Primarily, you will be at our Headquarters in Guderup, Denmark.

At LINAK we require that you hold a bachelor or a master’s degree.

Learn how to pair wireless hand controls to the LINAK® single actuator LA18 IC system for comfort beds using Bluetooth® technology.

Connect the system to the mainsPairing mode has started when the Under Bed Light starts flashing. It will run for three minutesPress the two top buttons to pair the hand control (Example in video: HC40 FRAME™ AdvancedA long flash means successful pairingThe system is paired and ready to use.The system will continue to be in pairing mode until the previously mentioned three-minute elapse. Then the light will turn green continuously to show that the system is no longer in pairing mode

This sound is standard when engaging the damper. The damper is built on a sling clutch principle, where the damper resistance load is transferred between two metal parts resulting in a clicking sound every time the damper activates.

Our general rule of thumb is that it can be an advantage to speak a little Danish, especially for those in close contact with the production site. Otherwise, LINAK is a global company who has many international colleagues and business partners.