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Axial Load - A load whose center of gravity runs though the axis of the actuator screw

Ball Brake - Used on smaller AC motor units, the ball brake is a bi-directional brake that limits drift when the unit is under a full load

Cantilever Mount -A pin mount where the pin is not Supported on both sides. Deflection of the pin can cause binding. This type of mount is unacceptable Clevis

Mount -A flat sided fitting, or part, that is drilled to allow for mounting with a pin or bolt Compression Load - A load that presses on an actuator along the axis of its screw

Current Draw - Amount of current (amperes) required by a motor to move a load. It increases as the load increases

Cycle - A complete sequence of full extension and retraction by the actuator

Double Lead Screw - A double lead screw has two separate threads that wrap around the outside diameter of the screw. The advantage of this type of screw is the lifting nut will travel twice the distance with each single turn of the screw

Duty Cycle - Percentage of time an actuator is in motion relative to total time. Example: If the total running time for an actuator is 20 seconds in every minute, the duty cycle is 33%

Eccentric Load - A load whose center of gravity does not go through the screw axis. Off-center loads cause binding and shorten the actuators life

Evoloid Gear - Evoloid gears are used to connect parallel shafts. The primary advantage over spur gearing is it allows the use of 1,2,3 or4 tooth pinions.

This has the ability to provide a large reduction ina very small package.

Extension/Retraction Rate - The speed at whichan actuator extends and retracts. In DC modelsthe speed can depend on the load

Jog - To move the actuator in short increments

Limit Switch - A device used to limit theextension or retraction of an actuator to a pre-setposition

Load - Material to be moved by the actuator

Overload Clutch - A built-in device that slips when the actuator reaches a predetermined load limit preventing damage to the unit

Peak Load -The maximum momentary load that an actuator can control

Pivot Mount - A clevis mount that allows the actuator to pivot while in operation

Potentiometer - A device that provides position feedback information from an actuator

Screw Pitch - The screw pitch is the distance from a point on a screw thread to the equivalent point on an adjacent thread

Side Load - A load exerted on the side of the actuator housing or translating tube. Side loading can shorten the life of an actuator. Also called radial load

Spring Brake - A bi-directional no-back type brake that is automatically activated by pinion torsion and released when the motor turns

Spur Gear - A gear wheel with radial teeth parallel to its axis

Static Load - The maximum load an actuator can hold when not operating

Stroke Length - The total travel of the translating tube from retracted to fully extended

Superoid Gear - Gears that are used to connect non-intersecting and non-parallel shafts. The worm gear is conical in shape and the gear is a face type (has gears on the face rather than the outside diameter). This type gearing allows for very high gear ratios in a compact design

Tension Load - A load that pulls on the actuator along the axis of its screw. Amount of torque exerted on Torque Restriction the mounting brackets during operation

Translating Tube - The tube that extends in and out of the actuator

Wiper Seal - A seal between the actuator housing and the translating tube to keep contaminants out of the actuator. Also called a scraper seal