Linear Actuators – Carriage Style
Ballscrew, Belt, Linear Motor, Rack & Pinion, and Leadscrew platforms sized to your load, speed, precision, and environment.
Compare Linear Actuator Platforms
Toggle columns to focus on your application.| Criteria | Ballscrew Precision screw + carriage |
Belt Drive Timing belt + carriage |
Linear Motor Direct drive |
Rack & Pinion Gear rack + carriage |
Leadscrew Economy screw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max force (typ.) | High; thousands of N with preloaded nut. | Moderate; belt tension/width limits thrust. | High continuous; very high peak. | Very high with proper motor/gearhead. | Low–moderate; nut wear limits force. |
| Max speed (typ.) | ~1–1.5 m/s (critical speed/whip). | 2–5 m/s; long strokes easy. | 1–5 m/s; excellent dynamics. | 2–5 m/s (gear ratio dependent). | ≤ 0.5–0.8 m/s typical. |
| Repeatability | ±5–20 μm; low backlash options. | ±50–200 μm (encoder & tensioning). | ±1–10 μm with linear scale. | ±25–100 μm with feedback. | ±50–200 μm; higher wear/backlash. |
| Stroke capability | Practical to ~2 m (whip limits). | 10+ m common. | Short–medium; joints for long runs. | Sectional—effectively unlimited. | Short–medium; whip sooner. |
| Duty cycle / life | High with lube; predictable L10. | High; belts are consumables. | High; contactless drive. | High with grease & checks. | Moderate; polymer nuts wear faster. |
| Contamination tolerance | Needs seals/bellows; chips risky. | Good; simple shields. | Keep clean (magnets/iron dust care). | Good with covers & grease. | Good; dry-running options. |
| Backlash / compliance | Low; preloaded nuts. | Higher (belt elasticity). | None in drive; structure governs. | Gear lash managed. | Moderate; anti-backlash nuts. |
| Footprint / rigidity | Compact, rigid carriages. | Slim; profile size matters. | Compact mover; stiff base needed. | Robust; larger bases for heavy. | Compact; light-duty builds. |
| Maintenance | Grease ports; relube. | Check tension; replace belts. | Minimal; keep ways clean. | Grease gears/rack; check lash. | Minimal; replace nuts when worn. |
| Relative cost | $$ | $–$$ | $$$–$$$$ | $$–$$$ | $ |
| Best for | Precision force & positioning to ~2 m. | Long travel, high-speed pick & place. | Ultra-smooth, high precision, fast cycles. | Very long travel, heavy loads, gantries. | Economical low/medium precision moves. |
| Limitations | Critical speed; debris sensitivity. | Elasticity (settling), belt wear. | Higher cost; EMI/thermal mgmt. | Backlash control; footprint. | Wear/backlash; speed limits. |
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Ball screw, belt drive, linear motor, or rack & pinion. Fill what you know — your Spec ID updates live and we’ll cross to manufacturers.