What is a linear actuator?

Linear actuators are electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic components that impart straight motion strokes to automated designs of all types — though (unless stated otherwise) it’s typically assumed electric types are being referenced when linear actuators are mentioned. Linear actuators are as ubiquitous as they are because automating machine functions along straight axes (also called Cartesian arrangements) simplifies their engineering. Many industrial-grade (and even consumer-grade) electric linear actuators pair an electric rotary motor with a rotary-to-linear screw mechanism of some type to output the desired linear motion.