A useful starting point for
- Concealed latches and compact lift or release mechanisms.
- Portable instruments and small enclosures with a narrow axial mounting corridor.
Configuration & OEM engineering
Micro Pen Linear Actuators
Fit the whole actuator into a slender mechanism
Micro pen linear actuators use a slender, inline package for mechanisms with a narrow installation corridor. Diameter is only the first constraint. Retracted and extended length, end fittings, cable exit, tool clearance and the mounting path determine whether the assembly can actually be installed and serviced.
Request the applicable drawing / CAD revisionThis is a configuration review, not a stocked SKU listing. Ratings, documentation availability, sample scope and lead time are confirmed for the reviewed design.
The first design decision
Will the full installed envelope fit at both travel limits without bending the rod or trapping the cable?
Define these boundaries
- A slender body does not mean that the actuator can carry an unsupported side load.
- Do not infer a stroke from body length or scale a reference photograph to create mounting dimensions.
Configuration choices and required evidence
Use this matrix to compare candidate configurations. Entries describe decisions to make and evidence to request; they are not unverified product ratings.
| Design input | Options to review | Evidence for the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Installation envelope | Body diameter, retracted length and extended length | Dimensioned assembly space with end fittings and movement clearance. |
| Mounting | Axial attachment, pivot arrangement or custom bracket | Load alignment, allowable rotation and installation sequence. |
| Electrical routing | Cable exit direction, connector and feedback wiring | Bend allowance, moving cable path, pinout and service access. |
| Motion demand | Stroke, loaded speed and cycle timing | Force at each position, start current and end-of-travel strategy. |
Agree on prototype acceptance before sampling
- 01
Use two installation views
Provide the mechanism fully retracted and fully extended. Include attachments, not just the bare actuator body.
- 02
Separate actuation from guidance
Show how the moving part is supported. Review pivots or guides so tolerance stack-up does not impose unplanned bending on the output.
- 03
Test within the enclosure
Verify loaded motion, cable movement and temperature in the proposed housing. A bench test in free air may not represent the installed mechanism.
Define the inspection and release package before fixing the sample acceptance criteria.
A practical engineering handoff
Prepare your micro pen linear actuators RFQ
Copy or download this editable text checklist, fill in the operating conditions and send it for review. For confidential drawings, agree on an exchange method and confidentiality terms first. The website form accepts text; it does not upload CAD.
Engineering RFQ — Micro Pen Linear Actuators Source: https://minilinearactuators.com/products/micro-pen-linear-actuators To: [email protected] Company / contact: Application and project stage: Maximum diameter and full installed length: Required stroke and attachment details: Axial load versus position and loaded speed: Guide or pivot drawing; any side load: Voltage, feedback and cable exit constraints: Enclosure temperature, cycle timing and quantities: Required drawings / CAD format and revision: Sample quantity / estimated production quantity: Target milestone: Requirements checklist only. Configuration, documentation availability, acceptance criteria and commercial terms require review.
Email the checklist →
Engineering FAQ
Is the listed body length enough to check the fit?
No. Include retracted pin-to-pin or face-to-face length, extended length, end fittings, cable exit and connector clearance. Request a configuration-specific drawing before fixing your mounting geometry.
Can the output rod guide my mechanism?
Provide the side loads, moments and alignment conditions for review. Many mechanisms need a separate guide or pivot arrangement so the actuator primarily transmits axial force.
Can I shorten the cable or change the end fittings?
List both as configuration requests, with the required pinout and mounting drawing. Feasibility, sample scope and production implications are reviewed together rather than assumed from the package shape.
Compare related architectures
- Mini Track Linear Actuators →
Use a translating carriage when a projecting rod does not fit.
- 12V vs 24V Micro Linear Actuators →
Choose the supply architecture before selecting a motor winding.
- Inverted Roller Screw Actuators →
Evaluate internal roller travel, smooth output and bearing integration.
- Compact Linear Actuators family →
Review your operating point and interfaces
Published and reviewed · Mini Linear Actuators engineering content