FIRGELLI® Automations: Motorize Your Ideas

You have a mechanism in mind: a hidden TV that rises from a cabinet, a boat hatch that opens at the push of a switch, a pop-up spice rack, a vehicle spoiler, a standing desk, or a prototype that needs repeatable linear motion. FIRGELLI® Automations exists to make that kind of motion practical for builders, designers, mechanics, fabricators, and homeowners who want reliable hardware without having to become industrial automation specialists first.

Our work is centered on electric linear actuators, lift columns, TV lifts, control systems, mounting hardware, and the engineering resources needed to choose them correctly. A good automation project is not only about buying a motor. It is about matching force, stroke, speed, duty cycle, mounting geometry, electrical control, and safety margins so the finished assembly moves smoothly every time.

Our Story: Making Motion Control Accessible

Before FIRGELLI® was founded in 2002, compact linear actuators were often treated as industrial components: difficult to source, expensive in small quantities, and usually sold through channels built for large purchasing departments. Founder Robbie Dickson saw that the same technology could solve everyday problems for makers, vehicle builders, cabinetmakers, marine installers, product developers, and homeowners.

The goal was simple: make professional motion-control components easier to understand, easier to order, and easier to integrate. That approach still guides the company today. We focus on practical products, clear documentation, useful calculators, and support that helps customers move from an idea to a working installation.

Why Builders Choose FIRGELLI®

Application-first support: Many customers arrive with a sketch, a load weight, and a rough idea of how far something needs to move. We help translate those details into force, stroke, mounting, and control requirements.
Motion hardware for real builds: Our customers use actuators in furniture, automotive, marine, robotics, display, accessibility, agricultural, and custom fabrication projects. That variety shapes how we explain products and how we build supporting resources.
Practical product categories: Instead of forcing every project into one actuator type, FIRGELLI® offers rod-style actuators, mini actuators, feedback actuators, column lifts, TV lift systems, slide rails, brackets, controllers, switches, relays, and accessories.
Engineering tools, not guesswork: A lift that works on the bench can fail once installed at an angle. That is why we publish calculators and guides for force, mounting position, hatch geometry, electrical power, and control wiring.

What to Check Before You Buy an Actuator

The most common automation mistake is choosing an actuator by stroke length alone. Stroke matters, but it is only one part of the system. Before selecting hardware, write down the following assumptions:

Load weight: Include the object being moved plus hinges, brackets, lids, panels, and any friction from seals or slides.
Direction of motion: Lifting vertically usually requires more force than sliding a well-supported load horizontally.
Mounting geometry: An actuator mounted at a shallow angle may need much more force than the actual load weight suggests.
Stroke: Measure the required travel, then confirm that the retracted and extended actuator lengths physically fit inside the project.
Speed: Faster motion is convenient, but force and speed are linked. High-force actuators generally move slower than low-force models.
Control method: Decide whether you need a simple rocker switch, remote control, synchronized motion, feedback positioning, WiFi control, or integration with a microcontroller.
Power supply: Match voltage and current capacity to the actuator and allow margin for startup current and multiple actuators moving at once.

For force and stroke planning, start with the Linear Actuator Force & Stroke Guide. If you are building a lid, hatch, or hinged panel, the Hatch Lift Calculator is a better starting point than a simple weight estimate because it accounts for lever geometry. For projects where the actuator pushes on an angled arm, use the Angled Lever Calculator.

What Products We Offer

Product category	Best fit	Design checks before ordering
Linear actuators	Push, pull, lift, tilt, slide, or position a load in a straight line	Force, stroke, speed, duty cycle, voltage, mounting angle, retracted length
Feedback actuators	Projects that need position sensing or repeatable control	Controller compatibility, feedback type, wiring, calibration, travel limits
TV lifts	Hidden screens in cabinets, floors, ceilings, or custom furniture	TV size and weight, cabinet clearance, cable management, access for service
Table and column lifts	Adjustable desks, workstations, podiums, consoles, and furniture	Load distribution, stability, travel height, synchronization, frame stiffness
Slide rails and guide rails	Supporting loads so the actuator is not used as a structural guide	Side load, alignment, rail length, bearing support, contamination exposure
Mounting brackets	Connecting actuators to frames, lids, panels, arms, and linkages	Clevis alignment, pivot freedom, bolt strength, bracket spacing, access to fasteners
Controls and accessories	Switches, remotes, relays, power supplies, limit devices, and wiring support	Voltage, current rating, number of actuators, emergency stop needs, enclosure location

Linear Actuators

FIRGELLI® linear actuators are used when rotational motor output needs to become controlled push-pull movement. We provide a range of actuator styles with different force, stroke, speed, body size, and feedback options. Common categories include rod-style actuators, mini actuators, feedback actuators, and column lifts.

Example assumption: if a cabinet panel weighs 40 lb and pivots upward from a rear hinge, do not assume a 40 lb actuator is enough. Depending on the actuator mounting point and angle, the required push force may be several times higher. A better process is to measure the hinge-to-center-of-gravity distance, the hinge-to-actuator mounting distance, and the actuator angle through the travel. Then verify the result with a calculator or a conservative hand calculation.

Control Systems

Every motion project needs a way to command movement. A simple application may only need a momentary rocker switch. A display lift may need a wireless remote. A robotics or prototyping application may need feedback and programmable control. If you are using an Arduino or similar microcontroller, review the Arduino Linear Actuator Control Guide before wiring the actuator directly to a board. Most actuators draw more current than a microcontroller pin can supply, so relays, motor drivers, or dedicated controllers are normally required.

For WiFi-controlled projects, the WiFi Linear Actuator Control Guide explains how to think through remote triggering, relays, and controller behavior. Always include a manual override or accessible disconnect in installations where a person may need to stop motion quickly.

TV Lifts

TV lifts are designed for builders who want a screen to rise from a cabinet, descend from a ceiling, or hide inside custom millwork. A successful TV lift installation depends on more than lift capacity. Confirm the television width, height, weight, VESA mounting pattern, cable bend radius, ventilation, and the location of nearby walls or cabinet doors. Leave service access wherever possible; a beautiful cabinet becomes frustrating if the lift cannot be reached after installation.

Table Lifts and Column Lifts

Table lift systems and column lifts are used for desks, workbenches, consoles, kiosks, and adjustable furniture. The key engineering issue is stability. A lift column can raise a load, but the surrounding frame must resist wobble, racking, and tipping. Keep heavy objects centered, use a rigid frame, and consider how the user will interact with the surface at full height.

Slide Rails and Mounting Brackets

Slide rails help carry side loads and keep moving panels aligned. This matters because most rod-style actuators are designed to push and pull along their axis, not to act as the only guide for a door, shelf, roof panel, or drawer. If the moving part can twist, bind, or sag, add guide rails or a structural linkage before relying on actuator force.

Mounting brackets are equally important. Clevis-style mounts allow pivoting as the actuator changes angle through its stroke. A rigidly fixed actuator can bind, overload the motor, bend a rod, or tear fasteners out of the frame. For a deeper look at bracket selection and mounting methods, see the Linear Actuator Mounting Brackets Guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring side load: Use rails, hinges, or linkages to guide the load. Let the actuator provide force, not alignment.
Under-sizing the power supply: Check voltage and current requirements. The Amps, Volts, and Watts Guide is useful when planning power for one or more actuators.
Forgetting retracted length: A stroke may be correct, but the actuator body may not fit when fully retracted.
Mounting too close to the hinge: This can create very high force requirements. Moving the bracket farther from the hinge often reduces required force and improves control.
No mechanical stops: Do not rely only on the actuator to define the structure. Well-designed frames often include stops, guides, or limits to protect the mechanism.
No testing under real load: Test at low risk first. Listen for binding, watch bracket movement, and measure current draw if possible.

A Practical Builder Checklist

Sketch the mechanism in the closed, mid-travel, and fully open positions.
Measure the load and estimate the center of gravity.
Choose tentative actuator mounting points and calculate force through the range of motion.
Confirm stroke, retracted length, and extended length.
Select brackets that allow the actuator to pivot naturally.
Add slide rails or guides if the load is not already constrained.
Verify power supply voltage and current capacity.
Decide how the actuator will be controlled and stopped.
Prototype slowly, then test repeatedly before enclosing the mechanism.

If you want inspiration before starting your own build, browse the 10 DIY Linear Actuator Projects Guide. If you prefer to begin with calculations, the Linear Actuator Calculator Suite collects several free engineering tools in one place.

FAQ

How do I know what force actuator I need?

Start with the load weight, but do not stop there. The actuator angle, hinge position, center of gravity, friction, and mounting distance can multiply the required force. For hinged applications, use a hatch or lever calculator. For straight vertical lifting, include the full moving load plus a safety margin.

Can one actuator lift both sides of a wide panel?

Sometimes, but only if the panel is guided well and cannot twist. Wide lids, doors, and shelves often need either two synchronized actuators or a rigid linkage that distributes force evenly. If one corner can lag behind, add guide rails or rethink the structure.

Do I need a feedback actuator?

Use feedback when you need position control, repeatable intermediate stops, synchronization, or integration with a controller. If the project only moves fully in and fully out using a switch, a standard actuator may be enough.

What is the difference between stroke length and overall length?

Stroke is the distance the actuator rod travels. Overall length is the physical length of the actuator, usually measured between mounting points when retracted or extended. Both dimensions matter because the actuator must fit inside the mechanism at both ends of travel.

Why does my actuator bind or sound strained?

Common causes include side load, misaligned brackets, an over-constrained frame, insufficient force, low supply voltage, or a mounting angle that becomes unfavorable during travel. Stop testing and inspect the geometry before continuing; forcing the mechanism can damage brackets, fasteners, or the actuator.

Can FIRGELLI® help with a custom project?

Yes. The best support questions include a sketch or photo, load weight, desired travel, available mounting space, voltage preference, and how you want to control the motion. Those details make it much easier to recommend a practical starting point.

Put Your Ideas in Motion

Whether you are automating a standing desk, building a hidden door, upgrading a boat hatch, creating a display lift, or prototyping a new product, FIRGELLI® is here to help you get it moving. Start with the real mechanical requirements, choose the right actuator and mounting hardware, and test the system carefully. Good motion control is not magic; it is the result of clear assumptions, suitable components, and a design that respects the forces involved.