Leading Servo Actuator Manufacturers

What Is a Servo Actuator?

The choice of servo actuator depends on the speed, precision requirements, and power needed for the specific application. Servo actuators are composed of three main components: a set of gears, a servo motor, and an output bearing.

A suitable motor is coupled to a sensor for position feedback. In the servo actuator, a relatively sophisticated controller is also required. It is often a delicate module designed for specific use with servo motors.

How Servo Actuators Function

The servo actuators system consists of three basic components: an output sensor, a controlled device, and a feedback system. This system is an automatic closed-loop control system that provides torque and velocity as commanded by a servo controller, which uses a feedback device to close the loop.

In this setup, in place of controlling a device by applying a variable input signal, the contained device is controlled by a feedback signal generated by comparing the output signal and the reference input signal.

When the command signal or the reference signal is placed into the system, it is then compared to the output reference signal, which is contained by the system using the output sensor, and also a third signal produced by the feedback system. The third signal, produced by the feedback system, acts as an input signal for the controlled device.

The input signal to the device is present as long as there is a logical difference between the reference input signal and the output reference signal. The third signal, produced from comparing the two above signals, cannot and will not remain enough to operate the device further. And also, this signal will not be compatible with the production of further output for the system until the next reference input signal is introduced to the system.

This reference input signal can also be denoted as the command signal. Therefore, a servomechanism's primary mission is to maintain a system's output at the desired value.

Types of Servo Actuators

Servo actuators are found in many different sizes depending on the required function. Some types include continuous rotation, positional rotation, and the linear servo motor.

Positional Rotation Servo Motor

This type of servo can rotate 180 degrees. The positional rotation servo contains stops in their gearbox, and this helps in protecting the output shaft from over-rotating.

Continuous Rotation Servo Motor

This servo has a range of motion that is not limited. It does not use the input signal to determine which direction or position the servo should be able to turn. The continuous rotation of the servo relates the input to the speed of the output and the direction. The continuous rotation servo motor can move in both CW and CCW directions, which is possible due to their limitless movement.

Linear Servo Motor

This type of servo uses a rack and pinion mechanism to change their contained performance. This rack and pinion converts rotary motion into linear motion.

Applications and Uses of Servo Motors

Servo actuators are used in a wide range of applications, including in toys, home electronics, airplanes, and automobiles. The moving of levers back and forth to control the steering in drones or adjust the surfaces of the wings are some of the uses of servo actuators. Servos are used in automobiles to manage the speed of the vehicle. A servo motor can also regulate the car's speed, and in aircraft, it does so by rotating a shaft connected to the engine's throttle.

Choosing the Correct Servo Actuator Supplier

To ensure you have the most positive outcome when purchasing servo actuators from a servo actuator supplier, it is important to contact several companies using our directory of servo actuator suppliers. Each servo actuator supplier has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each servo actuator business website using our patented website previewer to quickly learn what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple servo actuator companies with the same form.