Calculator Inputs
This page keeps a single-column flow. The input area uses a responsive three-column grid on large screens, two columns on smaller screens, and one column on mobile.
Plotly Force Trend Graph
The chart plots required design force and holding force against load mass using your current settings.
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Mode | Mass (kg) | Angle (°) | μ | Speed (mm/s) | Design Force (N) | Torque (N·m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging Slide | Horizontal | 80 | 0 | 0.12 | 15 | 336.12 | 0.3150 |
| Material Ramp | Inclined | 120 | 20 | 0.15 | 20 | 959.83 | 0.8990 |
| Lift Platform | Vertical | 150 | 90 | 0.00 | 10 | 2627.28 | 2.4623 |
Formula Used
1) Weight
W = m × g, where g = 9.80665 m/s².
2) Horizontal Force
F_base = (μ × W) + (m × a) + F_external
3) Inclined Force
F_base = (W × sinθ) + (μ × W × cosθ) + (m × a) + F_external
4) Vertical Lift Force
F_base = W + (m × a) + F_external
5) Design Force With Margin
F_design = (F_base × Safety Factor) ÷ Efficiency
6) Screw Torque
T = (F_per_actuator × Lead) ÷ (2π × Efficiency)
7) Linear Power and Work
P = F_design × v and Work = F_design × Distance
These equations estimate actuator sizing for common engineering cases. Real systems may also need shock loading, buckling, bearing losses, duty cycle checks, and thermal review.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the motion type: horizontal, inclined, or vertical.
- Enter the moving mass, friction coefficient, and any opposing external force.
- Add the required acceleration, safety factor, and estimated mechanical efficiency.
- Enter screw lead, travel speed, travel distance, and the number of actuators sharing the load.
- Optionally add the rated force of one actuator for a quick adequacy check.
- Press Calculate Force to show the results above the form.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to export a summary report.
- Review the graph and compare how force changes with load mass.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What does actuator force mean?
It is the linear push or pull an actuator must deliver to move or hold a load. The correct value depends on weight, friction, angle, acceleration, efficiency, and design margin.
2) Why is a safety factor included?
A safety factor adds margin for uncertainty, wear, load variation, and real-world losses. It helps prevent undersizing when conditions differ from the ideal model or change over time.
3) How does incline angle affect the result?
As the angle increases, more of the load acts directly against motion. That raises the gravity component, so the actuator usually needs more force than on a flat surface.
4) Does friction matter for linear actuator sizing?
Yes. Sliding guides, seals, and contact surfaces can add meaningful resistance. Even modest friction can change the required actuator size, especially for heavy loads or slow mechanisms.
5) Why does screw lead change torque?
A larger lead moves farther per revolution, which usually needs more torque for the same force. A smaller lead often lowers torque demand, but it also reduces linear travel per revolution.
6) Why is efficiency used in the formula?
Not all input energy becomes useful linear motion. Mechanical losses in screws, gears, bearings, and guides reduce delivered output, so the design force must account for those losses.
7) Can multiple actuators share one load?
Yes, but load sharing is rarely perfect. Alignment, stiffness, control strategy, and mounting geometry influence how evenly the load splits. Engineers usually keep margin because one actuator may carry more than the average.
8) Is this enough for final actuator selection?
It is a strong first-pass sizing tool. Final selection should also confirm duty cycle, column buckling, mounting strength, shock loads, environmental limits, service life, and the supplier’s detailed performance curves.