Blogs/News/PSAs

1. Parker Hannifin Corporation

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio
Founded: 1917 | Employees: ~58,000 globally | NYSE: PH

Engineering Legacy & Strategic Positioning

Parker Hannifin is not just an actuator manufacturer—it is a vertically integrated motion and control ecosystem. With over 100 years of fluid power expertise, Parker has successfully pivoted into high-performance electromechanical actuation, blending its hydraulic heritage with digital motion control.

Core Actuator Technologies

• Electric Linear Actuators: Electrak® HD and E-Series—IP69K-rated, CANopen/EtherNet/IP-enabled, with integrated feedback and programmable soft-start/stop.
• Hydraulic Actuators: Custom-engineered for aerospace flight control surfaces (e.g., Boeing 787 rudder actuators).
• Pneumatic Actuators: ISO-compliant rod and rodless cylinders with integrated valve manifolds.

Key Industries & Differentiators

Parker serves aerospace (50% of commercial aircraft use Parker systems), defense (F-35 hydraulic actuators), and semiconductor (ultra-clean linear stages). Its Winova™ digital twin platform enables virtual commissioning and predictive maintenance—critical for reducing downtime in continuous-process industries.

2. Emerson Electric Co.

Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri
Founded: 1890 | NYSE: EMR

Digital Transformation in Process Automation

Through strategic acquisitions—including Aventics (pneumatics, 2018) and Fisher (valve automation)—Emerson has built a unified actuation stack for process industries. Its Plantweb™ digital ecosystem turns actuators into data-rich edge devices.

Flagship Actuator Platforms

• Fisher™ 6200/6300 Series: Electric and pneumatic valve actuators with DVC7K digital positioners offering HART, Foundation Fieldbus, and WirelessHART connectivity.
• Aventics AV03/AV05: High-efficiency rodless electric actuators with integrated servo drives for packaging and material handling.

Industry Impact

Emerson dominates oil & gas, chemical, and water/wastewater sectors. Its actuators comply with IEC 61508 (SIL 3) and API 607/6FA fire-safe standards, making them indispensable in safety-critical environments.

3. Thomson Industries, Inc. (a Danaher Company)

Headquarters: Port Washington, Wisconsin
Founded: 1929 | Acquired by Danaher: 2003

Precision Motion Redefined

Thomson is the gold standard for high-accuracy linear motion. Under Danaher’s Business System (DBS), Thomson has accelerated innovation in integrated electromechanical systems.

Technical Highlights

• Electrak® G-Series: Heavy-duty electric linear actuators (up to 16,000 N thrust) with built-in CANopen, J1939, and IO-Link.
• PC-Series Rodless Actuators: Belt- or ball-screw-driven with ±0.05 mm repeatability—used in solar panel trackers and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• Micron planetary gearheads and ball screws are co-engineered for minimal backlash.

Applications

Medical (MRI table positioning), renewable energy (wind turbine pitch control), and defense (mobile radar elevation systems).

4. Tolomatic, Inc.

Headquarters: Hamel, Minnesota
Founded: 1959 | Employee-Owned

Engineered for Extreme Environments

Tolomatic excels in high-force, high-cycle electric actuation where reliability trumps cost. Its IMA® (Integrated Motor Actuator) platform eliminates couplings and alignment issues by embedding the servo motor directly into the actuator body.

Innovation Focus

• ERD II Electric Cylinders: IP67/IP69K-rated, with force control up to 80,000 N—ideal for metal stamping and tire manufacturing.
• B300 Belt-Driven Actuators: Stroke lengths up to 6 meters for large-scale automation (e.g., aircraft assembly jigs).

Certifications

UL 508A panel shop certified, CE, ATEX options for explosive atmospheres.

5. Exlar Corporation (a Curtiss-Wright Company)

Headquarters: Chanhassen, Minnesota
Founded: 1989 | Acquired by Curtiss-Wright: 2011

Bridging Hydraulic Power with Electric Control

Exlar’s breakthrough was the roller screw-driven electric actuator, which delivers hydraulic-level force density without fluid leaks or maintenance. This makes Exlar the go-to for retrofitting hydraulic systems with electric alternatives.

Flagship Product: GSX Actuator Series

• Continuous force up to 111 kN (25,000 lbf)
• Speeds up to 1 m/s with positional accuracy of ±0.025 mm
• Integrated absolute encoders and dual feedback systems

Mission-Critical Deployments

Nuclear power plant control rods, submarine ballast systems, and heavy forging presses. Exlar actuators meet MIL-STD-810 and IEEE 323 for seismic resilience.

6. SMAC Moving Coil Actuators

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California
Founded: 1995

Nanometer Precision Through Voice Coil Technology

SMAC leverages Lorentz-force voice coil motors—similar to those in hard disk drives—to achieve sub-micron resolution and programmable force control. Unlike traditional actuators that move to position, SMAC actuators move with controlled force, enabling “soft touch” applications.

Key Innovations

• Force-Position-Time (FPT) programming: Enables complex motion profiles (e.g., gentle insertion of fragile components).
• LAE/LAR Series: Linear and rotary actuators with < 1 µm repeatability, used in semiconductor wafer handling and battery cell assembly.

Industry Adoption

Tesla, Apple suppliers, and leading medical device OEMs rely on SMAC for high-speed, high-yield automation where part damage = yield loss.

7. Progressive Automations

Headquarters: Richmond, California
Founded: 2009

Democratizing Linear Actuation

While not serving aerospace or defense, Progressive Automations fills a critical gap: accessible, customizable electric linear actuators for startups, SMEs, and prototyping labs. Their strength lies in rapid iteration and e-commerce agility.

Product Range

• PA-14/PA-17 Micro Actuators: As small as 3.5" stroke, 12V/24V DC—used in robotics and home automation.
• PA-04 Heavy-Duty Series: 2,200 N thrust, IP66-rated, with hall effect feedback.
• Customization: Stroke length, mounting brackets, voltage, and control interfaces (PWM, potentiometer, RS-485).

Value Proposition

Fast lead times (<2 weeks), no MOQ, and extensive CAD library—ideal for low-volume, high-mix production.

? progressiveautomations.com

8. Firgelli Automations

Headquarters: Reno, Nevada
Founded: 2003

User-Centric Design for Industrial & Consumer Markets

Firgelli bridges the gap between industrial robustness and consumer simplicity. Its plug-and-play actuators require no PLC programming—just connect to a switch or Arduino.

Notable Offerings

• L12/L16 Series: Compact, quiet (<45 dB), with built-in limit switches—used in hospital bed adjustments and RV leveling systems.
• FA-35/FA-50: High-speed actuators (10 mm/s to 150 mm/s) for dynamic applications like drone launchers.

Support Ecosystem

Extensive YouTube tutorials, Arduino libraries, and 24/7 U.S.-based technical support.

9. LINAK Inc. (U.S. Subsidiary of LINAK A/S)

U.S. HQ: Blue Grass, Iowa
Global HQ: Denmark | Founded: 1979

Human-Centric Motion Solutions

LINAK dominates adjustable ergonomic and medical systems. Its U.S. facility handles North American sales, engineering support, and final assembly—ensuring rapid response to OEMs.

Core Technologies

• LA36/LA40 Linear Actuators: Whisper-quiet (<40 dB), with Advanced Control System (ACS) for synchronized multi-actuator setups (e.g., hospital beds).
• TD2/TD4 Dual Motor Systems: For height-adjustable workstations with anti-collision detection.

Compliance Leadership

Meets IEC 60601-1 (medical), UL 60950, and RoHS/REACH—critical for healthcare and office furniture OEMs like Herman Miller and Hill-Rom.

10. Moog Inc.

Headquarters: East Aurora, New York
Founded: 1951 | NYSE: MOG.A

High-Performance Actuation for Extreme Demands

Moog’s actuators operate where failure is not an option: flight control, satellite positioning, and nuclear safety systems. The company combines servo valve expertise with real-time control algorithms.

Flagship Systems

• Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators (EHAs): Used in Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 for “more electric aircraft” architecture.
• ServoControl™ Electric Actuators: ±0.001° rotary accuracy for antenna tracking and telescope positioning.

R&D Investment

Moog spends ~8% of revenue on R&D, with labs dedicated to additive manufacturing of actuator housings and cyber-resilient control firmware.

11. Flowserve Corporation

Headquarters: Irving, Texas
Founded: 1997 (legacy brands since 1800s) | NYSE: FLS

Valve Actuation for Critical Fluid Systems

Flowserve is the backbone of process valve automation. Its actuators control flow in 50% of the world’s refineries and 70% of nuclear power plants.

Key Brands & Technologies

• Valtek Numatics: Pneumatic rack-and-pinion actuators with SIL 3 certification.
• Automax Electric Actuators: Modbus RTU/TCP, with torque monitoring and partial stroke testing for safety compliance.
• Worcester Actuation: Quarter-turn electric actuators for butterfly and ball valves.

Global Support Network

Over 200 service centers worldwide—ensuring 48-hour emergency response for critical infrastructure.

12. Bray International

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Founded: 1964

Specialist in Quarter-Turn Valve Automation

Bray focuses exclusively on pneumatic and electric actuators for butterfly, ball, and plug valves—a niche where precision torque control matters.

Engineering Strengths

• Series 60/70 Pneumatic Actuators: Double-acting, spring-return, with NAMUR interface for easy solenoid mounting.
• B300 Electric Actuators: IP68, with obstacle detection and data logging via Bluetooth.

Market Penetration

Dominant in municipal water treatment, HVAC chillers, and food & beverage (3A sanitary compliance).

13. Venture Mfg. Co.

Headquarters: Sparta, Wisconsin
Founded: 1967 | ISO 9001:2015 Certified

OEM-Centric Custom Actuation

Venture thrives on low-to-mid volume, high-complexity projects. Unlike catalog-driven suppliers, Venture co-engineers actuators from concept to validation.

Capabilities

• In-house CNC machining, welding, and UL 508A panel assembly
• Custom gearmotors, lead screws, and feedback integration
• Environmental testing: Salt spray, thermal cycling, vibration

Typical Clients

Agricultural equipment OEMs (combine harvester header height control), mobile medical imaging units, and specialty military vehicles.

14. Rotork Inc. (U.S. Operations)

U.S. HQ: Houston, Texas | Global HQ: Bath, UK
Founded: 1957

Global Leader with Deep U.S. Roots

Though UK-headquartered, Rotork’s Houston facility handles North American manufacturing, testing, and training. It’s a Tier-1 supplier to ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron.

Product Excellence

• IQ3 Pro Series: Electric actuators with Bluetooth setup, HART communication, and SIL 3 compliance.
• GP/GH Pneumatic Actuators: Double-acting with fail-safe spring modules for pipeline emergency shutdown.

Sustainability Focus

Rotork’s “Zero Leakage” design reduces fugitive emissions—aligning with EPA OOOOa regulations.

15. Bishop-Wisecarver (an Altra Industrial Motion Brand)

Headquarters: Pittsburg, California
Founded: 1950 | Acquired by Altra: 2010

Integrated Motion Systems, Not Just Actuators

Bishop-Wisecarver combines linear actuators with its patented DualVee® guide wheel technology to create self-aligning, low-maintenance motion systems.

Unique Value

• MechaTran® Actuated Slides: Pre-engineered XY tables with ±0.001" accuracy—used in PCB inspection and laser cutting.
• Cleanroom-Compatible (ISO Class 5) versions for semiconductor and biotech.

Design Philosophy

“Motion that works out of the box”—reducing engineering time and field failures.

How to Evaluate an Actuator Supplier?

• ✅ Force/Speed/Torque Requirements: Match specs to duty cycle (continuous vs. intermittent).
• ✅ Environmental Rating: IP67? ATEX? Washdown?
• ✅ Control Interface: Analog, digital (IO-Link), or industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT, PROFINET)?
• ✅ Lifecycle Support: MTBF data, spare parts availability, firmware updates.
• ✅ Customization Lead Time: Standard vs. engineered-to-order (ETO).

Conclusion: Precision, Power, and Partnership

The companies listed here represent the pinnacle of American actuation engineering—each excelling in distinct niches, from nanometer medical robotics to multi-megawatt energy infrastructure. Choosing the right partner isn’t about “best overall,” but best fit for your application’s technical, operational, and strategic needs.

As automation grows more complex, the actuator is no longer a commodity—it’s a strategic enabler of performance, safety, and innovation.

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