Actuator – How industrial components work
An actuator is a machine component that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, for example opening a valve. In simple terms, it is an “engine”.
An actuator requires a control signal and a power source. The control signal has relatively low energy and can be electrical voltage or current, pneumatic or hydraulic fluid pressure, or even human power. Its main source of energy can be an electrical current, hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure. When it receives a control signal, an actuator responds by converting energy from the source into mechanical motion. In the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic sense, it is a form of automation or automatic control.
An actuator is a mechanism by which a control system acts to perform an operation or task. The control system may be simple (a fixed mechanical or electronic system), software-based (for example, a printer controller, robot control system), human, or any other input.
For more information on how actuators work
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