Glideforce GF01-121003-2-66 Micro Linear Actuator with Feedback Potentiometer: 12V, 4.3kgf, 17.6mm/s, 30mm Stroke

Overview

The Glideforce GF01 series is a set of micro-sized linear actuators from Concentric International weighing between 30 g and 60 g, depending on the stroke length. They consist of small 12V DC gearmotors that drive a lead screw to move a shaft back and forth, turning the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion of the shaft. The shaft will hold its position even when unpowered and subjected to static loads up to 4 kgf [9 lb or 40 N]. The actuators have an aluminium extension tube and inner tube with a plastic case and end-cap, and the entire case is sealed to protect against dust and water (rated IP66).

The GF01 series of actuators are available either with an integrated feedback potentiometer that lets you determine where the actuator is in its stroke, which can be used for closed-loop position control, or with two preset limit switches that safely stop the motor at either end of its range while still allowing it to reverse direction if the supplied voltage is reversed.

These actuators are available in several gear ratios and a variety of stroke lengths, from 10 mm to 100 mm. The comparison table below shows all of the micro-sized linear actuators we carry:

Details for item #4485

Warning: This actuator does not have any limit switches to automatically deenergize the motor at either end of the stroke, so extreme care must be taken to prevent the actuator from running into the physical ends of the stroke. Otherwise, the actuator could be permanently damaged. Please refer to the GF01 datasheet (1MB pdf) for detailed information about the potentiometer feedback.

GF01 series features and specifications

The following specifications apply to all Glideforce GF01 series linear actuators:

• Nominal operating voltage: 12 V
• Maximum static load: 4 kgf [9 lb or 40 N]
• Standard preset limit switches at both ends of stroke
• Aluminium extension tube and inner tube
• Noise level: ≤ 55 dB
• Mounting hole diameter: 4.25 mm [0.16″]
• Maximum duty cycle: 20%
• Working temperature: 14°F [-10°C] to 122°F [50°C]
• IP rating: IP66 (total dust protection, water resistant)

For more details, see the GF01 Linear Actuator Datasheet (1MB pdf).

Dimensions

Diagrams of the linear actuators are shown below. For more detailed information, including the retracted and extended lengths of each version, see the datasheet.

Using this actuator

The GF01 actuators have a 300 mm (12″) cable with unterminated, stripped leads. The actuators with feedback have five leads while the ones with limit switches have two, as shown in the pictures below.

Unterminated wire ends for Glideforce GF01 micro linear actuators with limit switches.

Unterminated wire ends for Glideforce GF01 micro linear actuators with feedback.

To drive the actuator, simply connect a power source of up to 12 V to the red and black motor leads. Reversing the applied voltage will reverse the direction of motion. A motor controller or motor driver is required for electronic speed and direction control. We recommend our Jrk G2 21v3 motor controllers for use with the feedback actuators (see below for more information on this) and our Motoron motor controllers for controlling the actuators without feedback, though many of our other motor controllers and motor drivers are capable of powering these actuators.

Warning: The GF01 actuator versions with feedback potentiometers do not have internal limit switches to automatically deenergize the motor at either end of the stroke, so extreme care must be taken with these versions to prevent the actuator from running into the physical ends of the stroke. Otherwise, the actuator could be permanently damaged. These versions should only be used with feedback-based control that is set up to prevent the actuator from driving past the feedback thresholds at the limits of its range.

Using a Jrk G2 motor controller with a linear actuator with feedback

Connecting a micro linear actuator with feedback to a Jrk 21v3 motor controller.

The feedback features of our Jrk G2 21v3 motor controller (which is also available with connectors soldered) make it a great solution for precisely controlling our linear actuators with feedback. Our settings file for the Jrk G2 configuration utility makes setup easy, eliminating the need to tune the PID constants. To get started, follow the steps below:

1. If you have not already, read through the Jrk G2 Motor Controllers User’s Guide and download its drivers and configuration software.
2. Before connecting power and your actuator to your Jrk, confirm that it is working by connecting your Jrk to a PC with a USB cable and launch the configuration utility. The red LED should be on, and the green LED should be flickering quickly.
3. Download the Jrk 21v3 settings file for use with GF01 micro actuators (2k txt).
4. In the configuration utility, choose File → Open settings file (Ctrl + O), and navigate to the location of the settings file you downloaded in step 3.
5. Click on the PID tab of the configuration utility and verify that the proportional and derivative coefficients are not zero. If they are zero, the settings file was probably not loaded properly and you should try performing the previous step again.
6. Click “Apply settings”.
7. With your power supply off and USB disconnected, connect your linear actuator to your Jrk using the connections shown in the picture above.
8. Turn on power, plug in USB, and reconnect to the configuration utility (use the “Connected to” drop down box if the configuration utility doesn’t automatically reconnect to your Jrk).
9. On the Status tab, you can move the slider around to change the target position and get your actuator to move the target position. However, you might notice that you are not getting the full stroke length from it. While the PID settings in this file should work fairly well with any version (i.e. length or gear ratio) of the GF01 micro actuators with feedback, range of the feedback potentiometer readings is very different for the various lengths, and there is a large unit-to-unit variation as well. To ensure you can control your actuator across its full stroke, you should recalibrate the feedback for your unit. Instructions for doing this can be found in the analogue feedback section of the Jrk G2 User’s Guide. Be careful when recalibrating the feedback! Since the actuators do not have integrated limit switches, it is possible to drive them beyond their physical limits and damage them. To safely move the actuator to its limits when prompted by the feedback setup wizard, set the speed to a very low value (e.g. 15%) and gradually move the actuator until it does not move any further. Once you reach the limit, immediately move back from it slightly to avoid damaging the actuator.

Other Glideforce linear actuator options

Glideforce linear actuators, from left to right: 6″ Industrial Duty (ID), 6″ Medium Duty (MD), 6″ Light Duty (LD), 50 mm Micro.

We carry a variety of Glideforce linear actuators, from the Micro GF01 series, which weigh under 60 g, through the industrial-duty ID series, which can withstand dynamic loads up to 1000 lb. The table below shows our full offering of these linear actuators, sorted by increasing dynamic load capabilities:

Dimensions

General specifications

Notes:

1

This represents the maximum in-rush current when starting a stationary actuator. These actuators are NOT intended to be stalled, and they will not stall as long as maximum load ratings are respected.

2

This is a dynamic load rating. The actuator is rated to withstand 9 lbs when not moving.

File downloads

• Datasheet for Glideforce GF01 Series Micro Linear Actuators (1MB pdf)

• 3D models of the Glideforce GF01 Micro Linear Actuators (1MB zip)

  This file contains 3D models (in the step file format) of the Glideforce GF01 Micro Linear Actuators.