Our linear actuators are continually evolving meet the requirements of the MedTech industry. Let’s look at the most common types of linear actuators and how they help the industry design innovative devices. 

INLINE ACTUATORS: The REAC RE1000-series features inline actuators, where the electrical motor is in line with the piston and connected to the screw via a planetary gearbox. These actuators have small, narrow profiles and are ideal for small devices, like leg rests on a wheelchair. Planetary gearboxes use a lower pitch to self-lock. But even if the pitch must be lower than in other actuator types, the inline actuator often offers higher speed. 

PARALLEL ACTUATORS: The REAC RE2000-series are parallel actuators, where the transmission of a straight spur gear and the motor is parallel with the piston. This design provides a small cross-section area as well as short built-in length, and is therefore suitable for applications with limited space. The parallel actuator’s gearbox requires a lower pitch to obtain the self-lock, which in turn may result in lower speed compared to other actuators.  

FLEXIBLE MOTOR MOUNT ACTUATORS: The REAC RE25, RE35, RE3004, RE3005 and RE3006-series are flexible motor mount actuators. Here, the transmission consists of a worm gear connected to the motor which driving a bevel gear with a 90-degree configuration. This enables the motor/worm-gear assembly to stepless rotate in a 360-degree range for RE25 and RE35. Even though there’s an added complexity with two types of gearboxes, this type of actuator provides the user with the capability to freely configure the motor position that best suits their application needs. This solution is quieter and stronger than many other actuators with this short built-in length. 

PERPENDICULAR ACTUATORS: The REAC RE5000-series actuators has a transmission between the worm wheel connected with the screw and worm shaft being a part of the motor. This enables a high-pitch solution without losing lift capacity, resulting in very high efficiency.  

REAC designs and manufactures electrical linear actuators. Learn what linear actuators are and how linear actuators work, or the REAC product line.