Linear Actuator with Feedback and 12" Stroke (LACT12P)

Linear Actuator with Feedback and 12" Stroke (LACT12P)

This 12 V linear actuator can be used in a variety of heavy-duty applications. The motor has 20:1 reduction gearbox that gives the actuator a dynamic load rating of 110 lbs (50 kg) and a maximum speed of 0.5 in/s (1.3 cm/s), and it is rated to withstand up to 500 lbs when not moving. Limit switches at each end make the actuator easy to control over its full range of motion, and the worm drive ensures that the shaft will hold its position even when unpowered. This version has a 12-inch stroke and a built-in potentiometer for position feedback.
The LD Series of linear actuators by Concentric International (formerly Iowa Export-Import) are 12V DC gearmotors that use a worm drive to move a shaft back and forth along its length. The worm drive ensures that the shaft will hold its position even when unpowered. Two limits switches safely stop the motor at either end of its range, while integrated diodes allow it to reverse direction after reaching a limit point if the supplied voltage is reversed. The actuators are mostly metal, and the entire case is sealed to protect against dust and water (rated IP63).
The Concentric LD series linear actuators are available in a variety of lengths and with optional potentiometers that are linked to the shaft position, for use in feedback systems. Several lengths are also available in two gear ratios: 5:1 and 20:1. The 5:1 versions have lower load ratings—34 lbs dynamic, 450 lbs static—but allow for higher speeds, up to 1.7 in/s. The 20:1 versions are slower—up to 0.5 in/s—but are rated for dynamic loads up to 110 lbs and static loads up to 500 lbs.
Mounting brackets are available for attaching the actuators to a structure; two are required for each actuator.

Using the actuator:

To test-drive the actuator, simply connect a power source of up to 12 V to the motor leads. Reversing the applied voltage will reverse the direction of motion. A motor controller or motor driver is required for electronic speed and direction control. We recommend our Jrk Motor Controllers for use with the feedback actuators and the Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 for controlling the actuators without feedback, though many of our other motor controllers and motor drivers are capable of powering this actuator.
These actuators have a stall current of 10 A at 12 V, but they will, on average, draw far less than this when used within their load ratings. They draw around 500 mA with no load and can exceed 3 A at their maximum rated dynamic load, so we have found they generally work well with our lower-power jrk 21v3 motor controller with feedback (see the bottom of this page for more information using this controller for closed-loop linear actuator position control). Note, however, that the actuators can briefly draw close to their full stall current when abruptly started or on a sudden change of direction. Such current spikes can be dampened if you take steps to limit the acceleration of the actuator (many of our motor controllers offer optional acceleration limiting).

Dimensional drawings:

Diagrams of the linear actuators are shown below. The versions that include potentiometers have a larger gearbox, so their overall size and weight is larger. For more detailed information, including the retracted and extended lengths of each version, see the appropriate datasheet.

Actuator leads:

Each actuator has a 3-foot-long cable. On actuators with feedback, this cable is terminated with special female connectors as shown in the left picture below, one for the three potentiometer leads and another for the two power leads. These connectors match male versions on the extension cable for LD linear actuators. Actuator versions without feedback have two unterminated, stripped power leads as shown in the right picture below. Linear actuators without feedback do not have cables that are compatible with the linear actuator extension cable.