actuators
Devices causing movement
Actuators are mechanical or electrical devices that convert energy into motion.
They make things move in response to control signals—opening valves, rotating motors, extending pistons.
In robotics and automation, actuators are the components that perform physical actions: The robot's actuators control its arm movements.
The singular actuator refers to any individual such device.
Feedback-controlled motors
- motorsMachines that produce motion
- solenoidsCurrent-carrying wire coils
- cylindersCircular-based solid shapes
- drivesMoves or compels
controllers · feedback · encoders · sensors · robotics · automation · PLCs · microcontrollers
Machines that produce motion
- solenoidsCurrent-carrying wire coils
- servosFeedback-controlled motors
- stepper motorsMotors rotating in fixed increments
- piezoelectricCharge from deformation
relays · DC motors · AC motors · brushless · gearboxes · encoders · PWM · amplifiers
Circular-based solid shapes
- valvesFlow-controlling mechanisms
- compressorsVolume-reducing machines
- air pressureAtmospheric weight per area
- pistonsForce-transferring engine cylinders
diaphragms · grippers · bellows · flow control · exhaust · double-acting · single-acting
Circular-based solid shapes
- pistonsForce-transferring engine cylinders
- pumpsLaceless dress shoes
- ramsAdult male sheep
- valvesFlow-controlling mechanisms
reservoirs · accumulators · seals · hydraulic fluid · heavy machinery · excavators · presses
Flow-controlling mechanisms
- dampersThings that restrain intensity
- positionersDevices that locate objects
- HVACIndoor climate management
- flow controlRegulating movement or rate
throttling · modulating · fail-safe · instrumentation · calibration · feedback · PID · manufacturing
servos
Feedback-controlled motors
- motorsMachines that produce motion
- solenoidsCurrent-carrying wire coils
- cylindersCircular-based solid shapes
drives · controllers · feedback · encoders · sensors · robotics · automation · PLCs · microcontrollers · stepper motors
motors
Machines that produce motion
- solenoidsCurrent-carrying wire coils
- servosFeedback-controlled motors
- stepper motorsMotors rotating in fixed increments
piezoelectric · relays · DC motors · AC motors · brushless · gearboxes · encoders · PWM · amplifiers
cylinders
Circular-based solid shapes
- valvesFlow-controlling mechanisms
- compressorsVolume-reducing machines
- air pressureAtmospheric weight per area
pistons · diaphragms · grippers · bellows · flow control · exhaust · double-acting · single-acting
cylinders
Circular-based solid shapes
valves · reservoirs · accumulators · seals · hydraulic fluid · heavy machinery · excavators · presses
valves
Flow-controlling mechanisms
- dampersThings that restrain intensity
- positionersDevices that locate objects
- HVACIndoor climate management
flow control · throttling · modulating · fail-safe · instrumentation · calibration · feedback · PID · manufacturing · assembly lines
- machineryengine, machinery, industrial machinery, motors, engines
- mechanicsforce, turning, rotation, momentum, velocity
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- Mechanical Engineeringmechanical engineer, design engineer, valves, motors, aerospace engineer
- aircraft manufacturingfuselage, airframes, final assembly, assembly line, avionics
- critical systemsavionics, flight control, pacemakers, life support, nuclear reactors
actuatorssensors
Devices that detect input
detectors · transducers · input devices · probes · receptors
actuatorssensors
Devices that detect input
receivers · indicators · monitors · observers · responders