An electric linear actuator is the core component that brings automated lifting and telescoping motion to modern equipment - from nursing beds and height-adjustable desks to industrial production lines. Choosing the right actuator keeps your equipment stable, durable and easy to maintain. This article explains the three most critical parameters in selection.

1. Stroke - the range of motion

Stroke is the maximum travel distance of the actuator rod, and it should match the actual motion range of your mechanism. Always leave a safety margin of 5-10mm at both ends to avoid impact damage to the internal limit switches. LOUIE offers standard strokes from tens to hundreds of millimeters, and non-standard strokes can be customized on request.

2. Force - can it drive the load?

Force is the most important selection index (unit: N). Do not only consider the load weight - friction, overturning moment and starting impact should all be taken into account. A safety factor of 1.3-1.5 times the theoretical load is recommended. For example, a 50kg lifting mechanism driven by two actuators should use rods rated at about 350-400N or above each; single-rod cantilever structures need higher force and careful side-load checking.

3. Speed and voltage - match the application

Speed decides how fast the mechanism moves (typically 5-40mm/s). Medical care devices usually prefer slow and smooth motion, while industrial opening/closing mechanisms tend to favor higher speed for better productivity. 12V/24V DC and 220V AC versions are available: DC actuators are easy to integrate with batteries and controllers, while AC versions suit fixed high-power installations. Actuators with Hall encoder or potentiometer feedback allow precise position control and memory.

4. Environment and safety matters

For outdoor, humid or dusty conditions choose a higher protection rating (IP54 or above) and pay attention to surface corrosion protection. If the mechanism must stay locked after power-off, confirm the actuator has self-locking function. For human-safety applications, limit switches, overload protection or anti-pinch control are strongly recommended. All LOUIE actuators feature built-in limit and overload protection, and encoder plus various control modules are optional.

Leave selection to the professionals

Changzhou Louis Electric Push Rod Co., Ltd. was founded in 2014 with a 28,000 m² production base, 400,000 units of annual capacity and more than 20 R&D and quality staff. Products are CE and ISO9001 certified and exported to over 40 countries. Tell our engineers your mounting size, stroke, force and working environment, and get a free selection proposal.