Examples of Actuators — Everyday Uses and How They Work

 

 

What Is an Actuator?

An actuator is any device that converts energy into physical movement. It takes an input — electricity, compressed air, or pressurized fluid — and produces a controlled push, pull, lift, or rotation. Every time something moves automatically instead of by hand, an actuator is doing the work.

The word sounds technical, but actuators are everywhere. The motor that raises your car window is an actuator. The mechanism that lifts and lowers a hospital bed is an actuator. The device inside your thermostat that opens and closes air ducts is an actuator. You interact with dozens of them every day without thinking about it.

This guide focuses on real-world examples — the places you already encounter actuators in daily life, organized by where you find them. For a deeper technical explanation of how electric linear actuators work internally, see our Inside a Linear Actuator guide.

Actuators You Already Use Every Day

Before diving into categories, here are examples of actuators most people encounter regularly without realizing what they are:

Three Types of Actuators: Electric, Pneumatic, and Hydraulic

Most actuators fall into one of three categories based on their power source. Here is how they compare:

For most applications under 2,000 lbs of force, electric linear actuators are the simplest and most cost-effective choice. They require only a power connection — no pumps, compressors, or fluid reservoirs. Browse our full range of electric linear actuators.

Home and Furniture Examples

Electric actuators have transformed how furniture and home systems work. Here are specific examples:

TV lifts — A TV lift uses a lifting column or linear actuator to raise a television out of a cabinet and lower it back for a clean, hidden look. When not in use, the TV disappears entirely into the furniture.

Sit-stand desks — Sit-stand desks use electric lifting columns in each leg to raise and lower the desktop. A controller synchronizes both columns so the desk stays level.

Kitchen appliance lifts — Linear actuators mounted inside cabinetry raise heavy mixers, coffee machines, and blenders from below the counter to working height, then lower them out of sight when not in use.

Motorized cabinets and hidden storage — Actuators open cabinet doors, raise shelving units, and reveal hidden compartments in walls, floors, and furniture. Popular in modern kitchens, home offices, and entertainment rooms.

Adjustable bed frames — Electric actuators under the mattress platform raise and lower the head and foot sections independently, allowing sleepers to find a comfortable position.

Window and skylight openers — Small linear actuators open windows, skylights, and roof vents that are out of arm's reach, often connected to rain sensors or smart home systems for automated ventilation.

Fireplace doors and screens — Actuators raise and lower glass fireplace doors or retractable screens, adding convenience and a clean aesthetic.

Automotive and Marine Examples

Vehicles are packed with actuators. Most drivers interact with several every time they get in the car:

Power trunk and tailgate lifts — One or two electric linear actuators mounted on hinges push the trunk lid or tailgate open and pull it closed. This is one of the most visible actuator applications in modern vehicles.

Power windows — An electric motor actuator inside each door drives a regulator mechanism that raises and lowers the glass.

Power seat adjusters — Electric motors and gearboxes under each seat provide forward/back, up/down, and recline adjustments.

Headlight leveling — Small actuators tilt the headlight housing to adjust beam angle based on vehicle load, keeping the headlights aimed at the road instead of blinding oncoming traffic.

Convertible top mechanisms — Hydraulic or electric actuators fold and unfold convertible roofs through complex multi-link mechanisms.

Boat hatch openers — Marine-grade linear actuators (IP66 or IP67 rated) open engine covers, deck hatches, and storage compartments on boats. Stainless steel hardware and sealed housings protect against saltwater corrosion.

Trim tabs — Hydraulic or electric actuators adjust metal plates on the stern of a boat to control the vessel's running angle and stability at speed.

Tonneau covers — Electric actuators open and close hard tonneau covers on pickup trucks, providing weatherproof bed access at the press of a button.

RV slide-outs — Heavy-duty electric or hydraulic actuators push room sections outward from RVs and motorhomes, expanding the interior living space when parked.

Medical and Healthcare Examples

The medical industry relies heavily on actuators for patient comfort, safety, and precise equipment positioning:

Hospital beds — Electric linear actuators raise and lower the head section, foot section, and overall bed height independently. Nurses use bedside controls to position patients for treatment, feeding, or transport. A typical hospital bed contains 3–5 actuators.

Patient lifts and hoists — Electric actuators in ceiling-mounted or portable hoists lift patients from beds to wheelchairs, reducing manual handling injuries for healthcare workers.

Surgical tables — Operating tables use multiple actuators to tilt, rotate, and adjust height and angle with sub-millimeter precision, giving surgeons optimal access during procedures.

Dental chairs — The recline, height, and tilt functions of a dental chair are all powered by electric or hydraulic actuators built into the chair base and frame.

Imaging equipment — MRI machines, CT scanners, and X-ray systems use actuators to position patients and move scanning components with precise, repeatable accuracy.

Wheelchair ramp deployment — Electric actuators fold and unfold wheelchair ramps on accessible vehicles and building entrances.

Industrial and Agricultural Examples

Industrial and agricultural applications demand actuators that can handle high forces, harsh environments, and continuous duty cycles:

Conveyor positioning — Linear actuators adjust conveyor belt guides, diverters, and height to route products through manufacturing lines.

Valve and damper control — Actuators open and close valves in piping systems and dampers in HVAC ductwork. In industrial settings, these may cycle thousands of times per day.

Solar panel tracking — Linear actuators tilt solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day, increasing energy output by 20–40% compared to fixed-angle installations.

Robotic arms — Industrial robots use electric actuators at each joint to position tools, weld seams, and assemble components on production lines.

Height-adjustable workstations — Factory and warehouse workstations use lifting columns to adjust table height for different workers and tasks, reducing ergonomic strain.

Agricultural implements — Actuators control plow depth, seed drill spacing, sprayer boom height, and hopper gate openings on tractors and farming equipment.

Ventilation systems — Greenhouse and barn ventilation uses electric actuators to open and close louvers and windows based on temperature and humidity readings.

Snowplow angle adjustment — Hydraulic or electric actuators change the angle of a snowplow blade from inside the cab, allowing the operator to direct snow left or right without stopping.

DIY and Custom Project Examples

One of the fastest-growing uses for electric linear actuators is in custom and DIY projects. The simplicity of electric actuators — just wire, mount, and power — makes them accessible to hobbyists, makers, and custom builders. See our top 10 favorite DIY builds for project ideas.

Pop-top camper roofs — Linear actuators raise the roof section of camper vans and overlanders, creating standing headroom at camp. See our motorized camper roof guide for a full build walkthrough.

Hidden doors and passageways — Bookcase doors, wall panels, and floor hatches powered by actuators create hidden rooms and secret storage, popular in both residential and commercial builds.

Animatronics and props — Halloween props, theme park attractions, and film sets use actuators to create lifelike movements in creatures, characters, and mechanical effects.

Camera rigs and motion control — Filmmakers and photographers use micro actuators to create slow, precise camera movements for time-lapse, product photography, and cinematic shots.

Robotics and prototyping — Makers use linear actuators in custom robots, automated feeders, motorized gates, and prototyping for product development.

Automated chicken coops — Small actuators connected to timers or light sensors automatically open and close coop doors at dawn and dusk, protecting chickens from predators.

Motorized kayak rudders — Electric actuators replace manual cables for rudder control on fishing kayaks, allowing hands-free steering while fishing.

How to Choose the Right Actuator for Your Project

With all these examples, the natural question is: which actuator do you need? Selection comes down to five key decisions:

1. Force — how much weight does the actuator need to move? Weigh the load and add a 1.5× safety factor. For hatch and lid applications, mounting geometry affects the required force — use our Lid and Hatch Calculator.

2. Stroke length — how far does the actuator need to extend? Measure the full range of motion required.

3. Speed — how fast does the movement need to happen? Faster speed means less force from the same actuator.

4. Voltage — 12V DC for most home, automotive, and marine applications. 24V DC for industrial or long wire runs.

5. Environment — indoor (IP54), outdoor or marine (IP66), submersible risk (IP67). See our IP Ratings Guide.

If you know your specifications but aren't sure which actuator fits, try our Actuator Selector Tool — enter your force, stroke, and speed requirements and it will show you matching products. For a step-by-step buying guide, read 5 Steps Before Buying a Linear Actuator.

If you need to replace an existing actuator, see our Actuator Replacement Guide.

Related Guides and Calculators

• Actuators Explained — overview of all actuator types (linear, rotary, and more)
• Linear Actuator Engineering Guide — complete reference for force, stroke, duty cycle, and sizing
• Inside a Linear Actuator — detailed technical breakdown of internal components
• IP Ratings Explained — choosing the right environmental protection
• Duty Cycle Explained — thermal limits and motor protection
• Mounting Brackets Guide — clevis, L-bracket, and ball-joint options
• Remote Control Guide — wireless actuator control setup
• Wiring Diagram Generator — custom wiring diagrams for any setup
• Lid and Hatch Calculator — force and stroke sizing for hinged applications
• Linear Motion Calculator — push/pull/slide sizing tool
• Full Calculator Suite — all FIRGELLI engineering tools
• Top 10 DIY Actuator Projects — inspiration for custom builds