Electric linear actuators for smooth, intelligent, powerful adjustment

Linear actuators

Linear actuators are a type of actuator that convert rotational motion in motors into linear or straight push/pull movements. Linear actuators are ideal for all types of applications where tilting, lifting, pulling or pushing with pounds of force are required. Electric linear actuators are often the preferred solution when you need simple, safe and clean movement with accurate precision and smooth motion control. LINAK created the first electric linear actuator in 1979 and has led the industry in linear movement ever since.

High quality solutions

At LINAK, we design and manufacture many types of linear actuators and lifting columns. They come with various speeds, stroke lengths, and capacities. From the compact inline LA20 to the robust LA36, LINAK actuators are built specifically to fit your unique application.

Our actuators are built to move loads from 40 kg to 1,500 kg (force from 400 N to 15,000 N), in voltage options of 12 V, 24 V, 36 V and 48 V, with a maximum linear actuator speed of up to 160 millimetres per second (mm/s). From the small 12 V linear actuator to the large 48 V linear actuator, all LINAK actuators can be customised to your specific requirements, ensuring the perfect solution for your application.

With four global manufacturing locations, we can build your custom actuator and ship it to you in a timely manner. Contact us to start building the electric linear actuator solution for your motion needs.

Business areas for our products

Our actuators can be found anywhere, in homes, offices, hospitals, factories, farms, and much more. They bring movement to the office and to homes – adjustable desks, kitchen elements, beds, and couches.

In hospitals and medical centres, you will find LINAK actuators adding movement to hospital beds, patient lifts, surgery tables and more. For industrial and harsh environments, electric linear actuators can replace hydraulic and pneumatic solutions found in agriculture, construction, industrial automation, and in marine equipment.

While our products are often found in the large operations mentioned above, we can also add movement to small, individual applications. From pop-up campers in the back of trucks to pivoting residential walls, our actuators can add movement to any unique application.

Accessories and advanced technology

Along with actuators and lifting columns, LINAK also provides a wide range of linear actuator control options and accessories to increase efficiency and give users precision movement. Control options for LINAK actuators include handsets, footswitches, desk controls, computer software, mobile apps and much more.

All our actuators and accessories are designed to be easily mounted and installed. Some even feature our Integrated Controller (IC) solutions, which are built on the well-known H-bridge technology. These provide various position feedback options, virtual limits, soft start and stop, current limitation, and adjustable speed. They also enable parallel movement and integrated BUS communication (LINAK offers CAN SAE J1939 and CANopen for actuator controls).

The most trusted brand

We understand the importance of optimum performance for your actuator solution. We conduct a variety of tests that push the actuators to extremes in order to ensure optimum performance throughout their entire service life. Each LINAK^® actuator undergoes a full function test before leaving production, providing you with a product you can rely on for years to come. Visit the page ‘Extensive testing – trust your industrial actuator’, to learn more about the tests our actuators are put through to measure their performance, durability, and resistance.

Across the world, LINAK specialists are available to find the perfect actuator solution for your application. Our highly experienced support team of Sales Managers, Research & Development Engineers, Application Engineers, and experts in Customer Service, Marketing, and Quality will work with you through each step of the order, installation, and performance optimisation process to ensure your solution is meeting your expectations.

For each of our solutions you can find all the details you need on our website, including data sheets and manuals. To advance your product idea generation, we also have a 3D configurator that can help you render detailed images of your solutions. And if you still need to understand more about linear actuators and their capabilities, you can learn a lot from the LINAK Actuator Academy™. Here you will find an extensive video library about the technology, the components, and the control options for linear actuators.

Frequently asked questions

What is a linear actuator?

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, or the movement could be powered by hydraulics and pneumatics.

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.

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Learn about the advantages of actuator solutions compared to hydraulic systems.

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How do linear actuators work?

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.

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Explore the aspects of what makes an actuator ideal for use with industrial machinery and discover the technology behind it.

Welcome to the LINAK Actuator Academy™

What are the different types of electric linear actuators?

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.

Why use a linear actuator?

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.

LINAK - home of electric actuator technology

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What is a linear actuator used for?

Actuators can be found anywhere, in homes, offices, hospitals, factories, farms, and many other places. Our electric actuators bring movement to the office and home with adjustable options for desks, kitchens, beds, and couches. In hospitals and medical centres, you will find actuators adding movement to hospital beds, patient lifts, surgery tables and more.

For industrial and rugged environments, electric linear actuators can replace hydraulic and pneumatic solutions found in agriculture, construction, and in industrial automation equipment.

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Business areas we serve

LINAK^® produces electric linear actuator solutions to create smooth movement in a variety of very different applications. From healthcare to agriculture, comfort furniture, office interior, or industrial automation.

Go explore and be inspired by the broad spectrum of business areas already serviced by LINAK.