{"id":3322,"date":"2026-09-15T08:46:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T00:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.espacovipcv.com\/blog\/?p=3322"},"modified":"2026-09-15T08:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T00:46:45","slug":"how-to-calculate-the-force-output-of-a-linear-actuator-4e6a-5ad70e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.espacovipcv.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/15\/how-to-calculate-the-force-output-of-a-linear-actuator-4e6a-5ad70e\/","title":{"rendered":"How to calculate the force output of a linear actuator?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there! I’m a supplier of linear actuators, and I often get asked how to calculate the force output of these nifty devices. So, I thought I’d break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand. Linear Actuator<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let’s talk about what a linear actuator is. In simple terms, it’s a device that produces motion in a straight line. They’re used in all sorts of applications, from small DIY projects to big industrial machinery. Knowing how to calculate the force output is crucial because it helps you pick the right actuator for your needs.<\/p>\n

The basic formula for calculating the force output of a linear actuator involves a few key factors: the torque of the motor, the pitch of the screw (if it’s a screw-driven actuator), and the efficiency of the system.<\/p>\n

1. Torque of the Motor<\/h3>\n

The torque of the motor is basically the rotational force it can generate. It’s measured in units like Newton – meters (N\u00b7m) or inch – pounds (in – lb). You can find the torque rating of the motor in its datasheet. This rating tells you how much "twisting power" the motor has.<\/p>\n

For example, if you have a motor with a torque rating of 1 N\u00b7m, it means the motor can apply a force of 1 Newton at a distance of 1 meter from the axis of rotation. To get this into a form that’s useful for calculating the linear force of the actuator, we need to convert this rotational force into linear motion.<\/p>\n

2. Pitch of the Screw<\/h3>\n

Many linear actuators use a screw mechanism to convert the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion. The pitch of the screw is the distance the screw moves linearly in one full rotation. It’s usually measured in millimeters (mm) or inches (in).<\/p>\n

Let’s say you have a screw with a pitch of 5 mm. This means that for every full rotation of the screw, the actuator will move 5 mm in a straight line. The pitch is an important factor because it determines how much the linear motion is amplified or reduced based on the motor’s rotation.<\/p>\n

3. Efficiency of the System<\/h3>\n

No system is 100% efficient. There are always losses due to things like friction in the gears, in the screw, and other mechanical components. The efficiency of the actuator system is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, if an actuator has an efficiency of 80%, it means that only 80% of the input energy is converted into useful linear motion.<\/p>\n

Now, let’s put all these factors together to calculate the force output. The formula for the force output (F) of a screw – driven linear actuator is:<\/p>\n

F = (2\u03c0 \u00d7 T \u00d7 \u03b7) \/ p<\/p>\n

where:<\/p>\n