is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
(OP)
I am designing a system that requires a pin to be pulled back to drop a ball in a tube. Based on my research I found a linear solenoid device and a linear actuator. Are they the same thing? If they are different, what are the key differences? I am looking for a low cost part that doesnt need to be precise. Just a small electric motor that pulls a pin in and out.
Thanks.
Thanks.





RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
Most commercial solenoids are an electric coil, a magnet and a spring, rigged up somehow. You turn them on and off. Some solenoids are bi-directional.
Something called a linear actuator should be more sophisticated than that. Probably, it can move to a set of positions or a continum of positions, and tell you where it is sitting.
The terminology should not really be important. Which one does what you want?
Remember, a regular solenoid consumes power while it is on. All of that power is converted to heat.
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
rmw
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
RE: is there difference between a linear solenoid and a linear actuator?
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.