Overview
The Light-Duty (LD) series of Glideforce linear actuators by Concentric International (formerly Iowa Export-Import) are 12V DC gearmotors that use a lead screw to move a shaft back and forth along its length. The shaft will hold its position even when unpowered and subjected to static loads up to 250 kgf [550 lbs or 2500 N]. Two limit switches safely stop the motor at either end of its range, while integrated diodes allow it to reverse direction after reaching a limit point if the supplied voltage is reversed. The actuators have an all-aluminum frame and extension tube, and the entire case is sealed to protect against dust and water (rated IP65).
Details for item #3647
LD series features and specifications
The following specifications apply to all Glideforce LD series linear actuators:
For more details, see the LD series datasheet (637k pdf).
Dimensions
Diagrams of the linear actuators are shown below. The versions that include potentiometers have a larger gearbox, so their overall size and weight is larger. For more detailed information, including the retracted and extended lengths of each version, see the datasheet.
Dimensions of Glideforce LD linear actuators with feedback. Units are mm. |
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Dimensions of Glideforce LD linear actuators without feedback. Units are mm. |
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Using the actuator
To test-drive the actuator, simply connect a power source of up to 12 V to the motor leads. Reversing the applied voltage will reverse the direction of motion. A motor controller or motor driver is required for electronic speed and direction control. We recommend our Jrk G2 21v3 or Jrk G2 24v13 motor controllers for use with the feedback actuators (see below for more information on this) and the Simple Motor Controller G2 18v15 for controlling the actuators without feedback, though many of our other motor controllers and motor drivers are capable of powering this actuator.
These actuators have a stall current of 7 A at 12 V, but they will, on average, draw far less than this when used within their load ratings. They draw around 1 A with no load and can exceed 3 A at their maximum rated dynamic load, so we have found they generally work well with our lower-power jrk 21v3 motor controller with feedback (see the bottom of this page for more information using this controller for closed-loop linear actuator position control). Note, however, that the actuators can briefly draw close to their full stall current when abruptly started or on a sudden change of direction. Such current spikes can be dampened if you take steps to limit the acceleration of the actuator (many of our motor controllers offer optional acceleration limiting).
Actuator leads
Actuators with feedback have a 24″ (60 cm) cable that is terminated with special female connectors as shown in the left picture below, one for the three potentiometer leads and another for the two power leads. These connectors match male versions on the extension cable for LD linear actuators. Actuator versions without feedback have a 36″ (90 cm) cable with two unterminated, stripped power leads as shown in the right picture below. Linear actuators without feedback do not have cables that are compatible with the linear actuator extension cable.
Using a Jrk G2 motor controller with a linear actuator with feedback
Connecting a light-duty linear actuator with feedback to a Jrk 21v3 motor controller. |
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The feedback features of our Jrk G2 Motor Controllers make them a great solution for precisely controlling our linear actuators with feedback. In particular, we recommend the Jrk G2 21v3, which is also available with connectors soldered, or the more powerful Jrk G2 24v13 for applications with loads close to the upper limits of what the actuator is rated for. Our settings file for the Jrk G2 configuration utility makes setup easy, eliminating the need to tune the PID constants. To get started, follow the steps below:
Note: These same settings files will work also with the Jrk G2 24v13 if you open them with a text editor and change the “product” field near the top from “21v3” to “24v13”.