An actuator is used to put something into automatic action. It is a mechanism by which an agent that can be either an artificial intelligence agent or any other autonomous being acts upon an environment. Meanwhile, it is the final element in a control system that can receive a low power command signal and energy input to expand the command signal as appropriate to produce the required output.
Like other things, there are also various types of actuators. The first type I have to mention is the linear actuator. It is a device that applies force in a linear manner, as opposed to rotationally like an electric motor. It provides a linear motion via a motor driven ball screw or ACME screw assembly. The linear actuator's load is attached to the end of the screw, or rod. The screw can be direct, belt, or gear driven.
The second one is hydraulic actuator. It is typically involve a hollow cylinder having a piston inserted in it. It uses a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic fluid cannot be used for energy storage, as a result, another power source must be used to create pressure in the oil. Typically, the term "hydraulic actuator" refers to a device controlled by a hydraulic pump.
Electric actuator is another important kind. There are two categories in use, i.e. stepper motors and direct motors. The former one is driven by a train of electrical pulses, while the latter one is most common in industrial robots.
The fourth type is the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric effect is a property of certain materials in which application of a voltage to the material causes it to expand. These actuators exhibit characteristics like extreme rapid response, and amazing power. Therefore, they can be widely used in the precision opening and closing of valves in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Relatively, as to the above mentioned actuators, the linear actuator is simple in design. It is self contained and can have the minimum of moving parts, but it has low forces. However, the hydraulic actuator may have very high forces. Of course, this kind of actuators also has many disadvantages. For example, they can leak and require the external hydraulics pump, etc.
It is no doubt that actuators can be used in many places. They are used for the automatic control of a variety of valves, as well as other applications requiring high torque precision rotation in a small footprint. Typically, applications of actuators are PC controlled valve actuation, small valve control in production environment, and so on. All in all, their applications are very wide and they are quite important devices in industries.
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About the AuthorLike other things, there are also various types of actuators. The first type I have to mention is the linear actuator. It is a device that applies force in a linear manner, as opposed to rotationally like an electric motor. It provides a linear motion via a motor driven ball screw or ACME screw assembly. The linear actuator's load is attached to the end of the screw, or rod. The screw can be direct, belt, or gear driven.
The second one is hydraulic actuator. It is typically involve a hollow cylinder having a piston inserted in it. It uses a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic fluid cannot be used for energy storage, as a result, another power source must be used to create pressure in the oil. Typically, the term "hydraulic actuator" refers to a device controlled by a hydraulic pump.
Electric actuator is another important kind. There are two categories in use, i.e. stepper motors and direct motors. The former one is driven by a train of electrical pulses, while the latter one is most common in industrial robots.
The fourth type is the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric effect is a property of certain materials in which application of a voltage to the material causes it to expand. These actuators exhibit characteristics like extreme rapid response, and amazing power. Therefore, they can be widely used in the precision opening and closing of valves in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Relatively, as to the above mentioned actuators, the linear actuator is simple in design. It is self contained and can have the minimum of moving parts, but it has low forces. However, the hydraulic actuator may have very high forces. Of course, this kind of actuators also has many disadvantages. For example, they can leak and require the external hydraulics pump, etc.
It is no doubt that actuators can be used in many places. They are used for the automatic control of a variety of valves, as well as other applications requiring high torque precision rotation in a small footprint. Typically, applications of actuators are PC controlled valve actuation, small valve control in production environment, and so on. All in all, their applications are very wide and they are quite important devices in industries.
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