In an era defined by high demand for parts, rising global competition, and increasingly complex supply chains, industrial automation has become an essential driver of modern manufacturing success. Gone are the days when automation simply meant replacing a manual task with a machine, with today’s innovations being concerned with intelligent, adaptive systems that improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency across the entire production process.

In engineering and automation applications, actuators play a crucial role in performing a wide array of tasks by converting energy into mechanical motion. From opening and closing valves in industrial processes to controlling the movement of robotic arms, actuators are paramount to various automation and control systems. In this guide, we will delve into the realm of actuators, exploring a few of the prominent types and how they function.