actuator
Energy-to-movement device
An actuator is a mechanical device that converts energy into motion, typically to control or move something.
It's the component that makes things happen in machines—opening valves, moving robot arms, adjusting flaps on aircraft wings.
Actuators respond to control signals, translating electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic power into physical movement: The actuator failed and the door wouldn't close.
Self-regulating motor
- solenoidCurrent-carrying wire helix
- motorEnergy-to-motion converter
- valveFluid flow controller
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
cylinder · piston · transducer · stepper · microcontroller · positioner · switch · pneumatic
Pivoting bar for lifting
- gearToothed wheel or belongings
- camRotary-to-linear converter
- linkageConnected system of parts
- crankRotary operating handle
rod · pulley · rack · pinion · toggle · clutch · ratchet · piston
Tilting lever for control
- buttonDisc through a hole
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- dialGraduated circular indicator
- knobRounded gripping fixture
lever · touchscreen · remote · console · panel · keypad · controller · regulator
Turning on an axis
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- thrustForceful forward motion
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- displacementRemoval from usual location
extension · retraction · articulation · positioning · travel · torque · force · velocity
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- repeatabilityCapacity for consistent duplication
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
fine-tuning · adjustment · positioning · tolerance · backlash · hysteresis · linearity · deadband
servo
Self-regulating motor
relay · cylinder · piston · transducer · stepper · microcontroller · positioner · switch · pneumatic · hydraulic
lever
Pivoting bar for lifting
crank · rod · pulley · rack · pinion · toggle · clutch · ratchet · piston · cylinder
joystick
Tilting lever for control
knob · lever · touchscreen · remote · console · panel · keypad · controller · regulator · interface
rotation
Turning on an axis
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- thrustForceful forward motion
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
displacement · extension · retraction · articulation · positioning · travel · torque · force · velocity · acceleration
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- repeatabilityCapacity for consistent duplication
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
sensitivity · fine-tuning · adjustment · positioning · tolerance · backlash · hysteresis · linearity · deadband · drift
- engineeringengineers, civil engineering, engineering, electrical engineering, blueprint
- machineryengine, machinery, industrial machinery, motors, engines
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- artificialartificial, synthetic, man-made, manufactured, fabricated
- controlsbutton, switch, dial, knob, lever
- mechanical partsgears, levers, pulleys, bearings, springs
actuatorsensor
Input-detecting device
detector · transducer · receptor · input device · measurement device
actuate, actuated, actuators, actuation, actuates, actuating