Precision Linear Actuators | High Force, Smooth Motion

What is a Linear Actuator?

A linear actuator converts a power source—electricity, pressurised fluid, or compressed air—into straight-line motion. Instead of spinning a shaft, it pushes or pulls along one axis, which lets robots lift, clamp, position, or press with repeatable accuracy.

Norck Robotics – Expertise in Linear Actuator Manufacturing

Combining vertically integrated machining with advanced motion-control know-how, NorckRobotics delivers linear actuators that turn demanding motion requirements into measurableproductivity gains. Every unit - whether a palm-sized micro-positioner or a heavy-duty pressram—is engineered, assembled, and 100 % tested in-house, ensuring repeatable micron-levelaccuracy and rock-solid reliability. From design consultation to lifetime service, our engineersstay engaged so your automation keeps moving - faster, longer, and smarter.

End-to-end production control

ISO-certified CNC, anodizing, and clean-room assembly under one roof

Proprietary wear treatments

boost corrosion and abrasion resistance for wash-down, vacuum, and high-temp duty

Zero-backlash precision

precision-ground screws and preloaded bearings for smooth, stick-slip-free motion

Configurable performance

choose custom strokes, force outputs, and sensor packages without extending lead times

Predictable lifetime costs

accelerated lifecycle testing and condition-monitoring options minimize unplanned downtime

Sustainable operations

energy-efficient machining cells and recyclable packaging cut your project’s footprint

Global support network

application engineers and spare-parts hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia

Ready to automate your future? Get a quote from Norck Robotics now!

UNMATCHED ROBOTICS ENGINEERING SUPPORT

Integrated System Design

Norck Robotics specializes in providing unique robotic automation and engineering solutions designed to meet the specific operational needs of each client. Our expertise covers a wide range of industries and applications.

Engineering Expertise, Every Step of Automation

Norck Robotics delivers turnkey robotic automation and engineering solutions tailored to your specific needs across various industries.

Your Solution, Your Scale

Whether you need a single robotic cell prototype or full-scale factory automation, Norck Robotics engineers are ready to collaborate with you to bring your concept to life.

Optimize Your System for Automation

Norck Robotics engineers analyze your existing processes to provide feedback that enhances efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and productivity for robotic integration.

Why robots use them

Direct translation (no rotary-to-linkage losses) gives tight positioning tolerances.

Compact, sealed housings fit inside arms, grippers and medical devices.

Digital or analogue feedback (encoders, Hall sensors) enables closed-loop control for < ±0.05 mm repeatability in many models.

How Do Linear Actuators Work? (Different Drive Mechanisms)

Most electric units pair a motor with a power-screw:

Lead-screw

Cost-effective, moderate friction, good for 40–60 % duty cycles.

Belt or rack-and-pinion

faster strokes over long travel, lower stiffness.

Ball-screw

Recirculating balls reduce friction → higher efficiency, longer life.


Voice-coil / linear motor

No screw at all; direct electromagnetic thrust for ultra-smooth micron-scale moves.

A nut travels along the screw (or the carriage along the rail), turning rotary torque into linear thrust. Integrated limit switches or magnetic sensors stop travel at stroke ends.

WHY NORCK ROBOTICS?

Access Broad Integration and Project Capacity

In addition to its own expert engineering team, Norck Robotics provides access to a network of hundreds of top-tier system integrators, robot manufacturers, and component suppliers across the United States, Germany, and Europe.

Create Resilience in Your Supply Chain

Working with Norck Robotics reduces dependency on manual labor, increases production consistency, and secures your operations against unforeseen disruptions, quality issues, and fluctuations. This enhances your company's supply chain resilience.

Technology-Driven Solutions

Norck Robotics advances digital automation by developing custom-designed robot grippers, advanced vision systems, and innovative simulation software. With an AI-driven, data-centric approach, it enables smarter system design, optimal performance, and predictive maintenance solutions.

Environment-Focused Approach

Norck Robotics encourages its partners to be carbon-neutral by reducing energy consumption and material waste through the efficiency of robotic automation, and prioritizes environmentally conscious suppliers.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Linear Actuators?

Advantages
  • Precision: microns of resolution with encoder feedback.
  • Integration: simple wiring; PLC or CANopen libraries available.
  • Clean & quiet: no hydraulic leaks, < 55 dB on most electric models.
  • Low upkeep: sealed bearings; only periodic grease or screw relube.
Disadvantages
  • Force ceiling: electric types top out at ~10–15 kN; hydraulics go far higher.
  • Speed limits: screw pitch and motor RPM cap fast cycles (~1 m s⁻¹ typical).
  • Cost: servo-grade electric units cost more up-front than pneumatics.
  • Temperature sensitivity: lubrication and electronics need derating below −20 °C or above +70 °C.

What are the Differences Between Micro and Macro Linear Actuators?

Feature
Envelope
Stroke / Force
Resolution
Use cases
Drive type
Micro (Miniature)
10–30 mm Ø, < 150 g
10–100 mm, 5–300 N
Up to 1 µm with fine pitch screw
Surgical tools, camera focus, 
lab automation
Coreless DC, stepper
Macro / Heavy-Duty
50–150 mm Ø, 2–30 kg
50–1000 mm, 1–15 kN
10–50 µm typical
AGVs, palletisers, aircraft flaps
Brushless DC, hydraulic, pneumatic
Envelope
Micro (Miniature)

10–30 mm Ø, < 150 g

Macro / Heavy-Duty

50–150 mm Ø, 2–30 kg

Stroke / Force
Micro (Miniature)

10–100 mm, 5–300 N

Macro / Heavy-Duty

50–1000 mm, 1–15 kN

Resolution
Micro (Miniature)

Up to 1 µm with fine pitch screw

Macro / Heavy-Duty

10–50 µm typical

Use cases
Micro (Miniature)

Surgical tools, camera focus,  lab automation

Macro / Heavy-Duty

AGVs, palletisers, aircraft flaps

Drive type
Micro (Miniature)

Coreless DC, stepper

Macro / Heavy-Duty

Brushless DC, hydraulic, pneumatic

Mini units prioritise footprint and delicacy; macro units prioritise load capacity and rugged housings.

Stroke length:

travel distance + safety margin (~10 %).

Power & interface:

12 / 24 V DC, 48 V DC, or hydraulic supply; verify current draw and controller compatibility.

Speed:

cycles per minute; check screw pitch vs motor RPM.

Precision & backlash:

choose ball-screw or linear guide for < 0.02 mm play.

What Criteria
(Stroke, Force, Speed, Precision)
are Important in Selecting a Linear Actuator?
Duty cycle:

% of time under load; affects motor and screw life.

Feedback & control:

analogue potentiometer, incremental encoder, or absolute encoder based on system requirements.

Environment:

dust, wash-down, radiation, temperature extremes.

Force / load:

static + dynamic forces; include 25–50 % safety factor.

Can a Custom Linear Actuator Design Be Made for My Project?

A supplier can tailor: Lead time is typically 8–12 weeks and costs rise 30–100 % over catalogue items, but a purpose-built actuator can streamline assembly, increase lifespan and cut system complexity.

  • Mechanical specs: unique stroke, mounting pattern, rod end or clevis.
  • Motor & gearing: torque, voltage, brake, anti-backdrive clutch.
  • Materials & protection: stainless steel, food-grade grease, IP69K seals.
  • Sensors & comms: built-in load cell, absolute encoder, EtherCAT.

Here are six widely used linear-motion technologies, each offering unique advantages depending on precision, load capacity, speed, and application needs. From compact actuators for medical devices to heavy-duty systems for industrial automation, these solutions demonstrate the versatility of modern motion engineering.

Miniature Linear Actuator

A matchbox-sized drive that converts motor rotation into micron-level linear motion via a fine lead- or ball-screw, making it perfect for space-constrained medical devices, embedded robotics and lab automation where low noise, low power draw and ±5 µm repeatability matter.

Ball Screw Driven Actuator

Uses recirculating ball bearings between a screw and nut to turn rotary input into smooth, backlash-free thrust with ≥ 90 % efficiency, enabling CNC machines, precision assembly lines and heavy industrial axes to position loads up to tens of kilonewtons within ±0.01 mm.

Voice Coil Actuator

A direct-drive coil moving in a permanent magnetic field (Lorentz force) for frictionless, wear-free strokes of a few millimetres, delivering millisecond response, nanometre resolution and silent operation ideal for laser scanning, autofocus, medical valves and semiconductor wafer tweaks.

Micropositioning Stage

A granite- or aluminium-based platform guided by cross-roller slides and driven by piezo, voice-coil or linear motor actuators; closed-loop encoders or laser interferometers hold sub-micron accuracy for optical alignment, photolithography, microscopy and nano-inspection tasks.

Linear Belt Drive Module

A servo-driven toothed belt and pulley that propels a carriage along an extruded guide at > 3 m/s over strokes of several metres, offering a lightweight, low-cost, low-maintenance solution for packaging, pick-and-place, palletising and other high-speed but moderate-precision moves.

Rack and Pinion Linear Actuator

A motor-driven pinion gear meshes with a straight rack to deliver rigid, backlash-minimised linear motion over long spans; its torque capacity, stiffness and simple gearing make it the go-to for portal robots, gantry CNC routers, heavy material-handling axes and vehicle steering systems.

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