Linear Actuator Applications: Hospital Beds, Adjustable Beds, TV Lifts, Standing Desks and More
Electric linear actuators move beds, chairs, desks, screens, doors and machine parts with the press of a button. This guide shows the main linear actuator applications and how to choose force, speed and stroke for each one.
Linear actuator applications at a glance
| Application | What the actuator does | What to check | Models to start with |
|---|
| Hospital and care beds | Raises head, foot and bed height | Force with safety margin, limit switches, synchronised control box | PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec), PAI-01-V2-7mm/sec (4000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-02-V1-10mm/sec (4000N, 10 mm/sec), PAI-01-V1-3mm/sec (6000–8000N, 3 mm/sec), PAI-36-V1-8mm/sec (8000N, 8 mm/sec) |
| Adjustable beds, recliners, electric sofas | Tilts backrest and footrest | Stroke length, speed, quiet operation | PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec) |
| Standing desks and workstations | Raises and lowers the worktop | Synchronisation, load, speed. See lifting columns and desk kits | PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec) |
| TV lifts and cabinet lifts | Pushes a screen out of furniture | Stroke equals rise height, load, speed | PAI-16-V3-48mm/sec (100N, 48 mm/sec), PAI-36-V5-80mm/sec (100N, 80 mm/sec), PAI-36-V4-50mm/sec (200N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V10-100mm/sec (200N, 100 mm/sec), PAI-17-400mm/sec (200N, 400 mm/sec), PAI-16-V2-28mm/sec (300N, 28 mm/sec), PAI-01-V9-64mm/sec (300N, 64 mm/sec), PAI-36-V3-30mm/sec (500N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V8-50mm/sec (500N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V7-40mm/sec (800N, 40 mm/sec), PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec) |
| Medical chairs and examination tables | Positions the patient or chair | Force, smooth speed, control | PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec) |
| Industrial automation and machines | Positions, clamps, opens guards | Duty cycle, protection level, position feedback where supported | PAI-16-V3-48mm/sec (100N, 48 mm/sec), PAI-36-V5-80mm/sec (100N, 80 mm/sec), PAI-36-V4-50mm/sec (200N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V10-100mm/sec (200N, 100 mm/sec), PAI-17-400mm/sec (200N, 400 mm/sec), PAI-16-V2-28mm/sec (300N, 28 mm/sec), PAI-01-V9-64mm/sec (300N, 64 mm/sec), PAI-36-V3-30mm/sec (500N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V8-50mm/sec (500N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V7-40mm/sec (800N, 40 mm/sec), PAI-01-V6-30mm/sec (1000N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V5-20mm/sec (1300N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-02-V2-20mm/sec (1500N, 20 mm/sec), PAI-16-V1-7mm/sec (2000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-01-V4-14mm/sec (2000N, 14 mm/sec), PAI-02-V3-18mm/sec (2000N, 18 mm/sec), PAI-36-V2-200mm/sec (3000N, 200 mm/sec), PAI-01-V3-10mm/sec (3500N, 10 mm/sec), PAI-01-V2-7mm/sec (4000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-02-V1-10mm/sec (4000N, 10 mm/sec), PAI-01-V1-3mm/sec (6000–8000N, 3 mm/sec), PAI-36-V1-8mm/sec (8000N, 8 mm/sec) |
| Home automation | Opens windows, doors, vents and blinds | Stroke, speed, low noise | PAI-16-V3-48mm/sec (100N, 48 mm/sec), PAI-36-V5-80mm/sec (100N, 80 mm/sec), PAI-36-V4-50mm/sec (200N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V10-100mm/sec (200N, 100 mm/sec), PAI-17-400mm/sec (200N, 400 mm/sec), PAI-16-V2-28mm/sec (300N, 28 mm/sec), PAI-01-V9-64mm/sec (300N, 64 mm/sec), PAI-36-V3-30mm/sec (500N, 30 mm/sec), PAI-01-V8-50mm/sec (500N, 50 mm/sec), PAI-01-V7-40mm/sec (800N, 40 mm/sec) |
| Solar tracking and outdoor frames | Tilts panels or frames | Protection level, slow high-force models | PAI-01-V2-7mm/sec (4000N, 7 mm/sec), PAI-02-V1-10mm/sec (4000N, 10 mm/sec), PAI-01-V1-3mm/sec (6000–8000N, 3 mm/sec), PAI-36-V1-8mm/sec (8000N, 8 mm/sec) |
Hospital bed linear actuator
A hospital bed uses several linear actuators to raise the head section, raise the foot section and change the bed height. They must run quietly, stop reliably at each end and move together, so they are normally driven from a multi-channel control box with a hand control.
Adjustable bed linear actuator, recliner linear actuator and electric sofa actuator
Comfort furniture needs smooth, quiet motion over a medium stroke. Check the stroke length against the movement you need and choose a force above the weight of the section being moved.
Standing desk linear actuator and height adjustable desk actuator
Sit-stand desks move the worktop on each leg. Use matching units on every leg and a control box that keeps them level. Browse our electric lifting columns and height-adjustable desk kits.
TV lift linear actuator
For a TV lift, the stroke is the distance the screen must rise, and the force must cover the TV plus the lift frame. A slower speed gives a smoother, quieter lift.
Medical chair linear actuator
Medical and dental chairs and examination tables need smooth, quiet, controllable movement. Choose a force above the load with a safety margin and a speed that feels comfortable to the patient.
Industrial automation linear actuator and home automation linear actuator
In machines, linear actuators open guards, position tools, clamp parts and tilt panels. Check the duty cycle (our models are rated 10%) and the protection level (IP54). In homes they open windows, vents and doors; pick a short stroke and a quiet, light model.
Solar tracker linear actuator and outdoor use
Solar trackers and outdoor frames need slow, high-force actuators and a good protection rating. Our listed models are IP54, so keep them sheltered from direct weather and contact us to confirm the right model.
How to size a linear actuator for your application
Work out the load the actuator must push or pull, add a safety margin, then read the force rating in the selection guide. Choose the speed you need and a stroke long enough for the full travel. Read how a linear actuator works for duty cycle, IP54 and wiring.
Frequently asked questions
Which linear actuator is used in a hospital bed?
Hospital and care beds use several electric linear actuators, one for each moving section, driven together from a control box. Choose a force rating above the real load with a safety margin, and confirm the medical standards your bed must meet with your own compliance team.
What size linear actuator do I need for a TV lift?
Match the stroke length to the height the TV must rise and the force to the weight of the TV and the lift frame. Pick a model rated above that load, then confirm the speed you want.
Can I use a linear actuator in a standing desk?
Yes. Height-adjustable desks use electric actuators or lifting columns on each leg, synchronised by a control box. See our lifting columns and desk kits.
Can I use these actuators outdoors, for example on a solar tracker?
Our listed models are IP54 protected, which resists dust and water splashes but is not meant for permanent outdoor exposure. For outdoor use, put the actuator in a protected position and contact us to confirm the right model.
Which actuators suit light, fast movement?
Models rated up to 800N with higher speeds, such as the 40 to 64 mm/sec PAI-01 variants, suit light, fast movements. See the selection guide for the full list.
Need help choosing a linear actuator?
Send your load (N), speed (mm/sec), stroke length (mm), voltage and application. Our Bengaluru team will recommend the right model and send a quotation.
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