What type of Actuator?

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

What type of Actuator is EXTENDED when NO POWER is applied, and RETRACTED when power IS applied?

This would be called FAIL SECURE in another industry…

Thanks for the help
Chuck

2

@Chuck2019 The question is, when power is released, what would cause the actuator to extend? This might be a spring as in the case of a solenoid (many varieties). You might also consider pneumatic (where a pump is activated to keep an actuator retracted, and a spring causes is to extend when power is cut. The same can be done with a sort of “rack and pinion” type setup where a DC motor retracts the rack, and when power is cut, a sprint causes it to extend. Hope this provides some ideas. Not sure of the terminology for what you are looking for exactly.

3

Thank you. Yes, I am aware of how I can design-in this ability… my inquiry was around the possibility that the Actuator would already be in this configuration… For instance, for a solenoid, they come in PUSH and PULL configurations… electronic locks, come in a Fail Safe and Fail Secure configuration.

Was hoping the same thing for Actuators… and if so, then I could specify that attribute to purchase the correct type.

Thanks!
Chuck

4

Nothing in particular comes to mind. We’ll see if anyone in the community might know.
“electric non-sprint return actuator”
“spring return linear actuator”
“self return spring linear actuator”.

5

So, by default, when power is removed from the Actuator, it definitely retracts? (Or does it simply stay in it’s last position). If it (forcefully) retracts when power is removed - then I could work with that as well.

Thank you,
Chuck

6

@ Chuck2019 It will depend on the product you find, but “spring return” tends to imply that it’s automatic return when not powered.