Download Reference Sheet
GLA3000-N (12V)

Integrated Encoder, for position detection and synchronisation

The actuator has a hall-sensor based quadrature encoder built-in to the motor. The encoder is powered by two of the six cores of the main cable (+Vcc Red, -GND Black) and accepts a supply voltage of 5V. It has a dual-channel output (channel A Yellow lead, Channel B Orange lead), with each channel generating 15.6 pulses per millimetre of travel (3 complete pulses per motor revolution). One of the channels is out of phase with the other, as such it is possible to tell both the speed (from pulse frequency) and direction (by reading the pulses of one channel and comparing it to the other) of the motor. The nature of the signals that are generated is illustrated below. Given a maximum no-load travel rate of 9.5mm/s for the 24V motor (when run at 24V) the maximum pulse frequency would be ~148.2Hz per encoder channel (the frequency rate would be greater than this if your controller is counting all rising/falling edges as opposed to only HIGH/LOW signal state changes). When used with the appropriate controller the encoder signals can be used for positional control with much greater accuracy and consistency than potentiometer-based actuator feedback systems. 

Leads & Connector Options

The actuator is supplied with a 2m long PVC-insulated lead as standard, with a Male 6-pin connector (4.2mm pitch, 3x2 format, latched) on the end (see below for connector image). The cable has six internal cores: Blue and Brown (to the motor, thicker wires), Red and Black (positive and negative power to the hall sensor encoder circuit, thinner wires), Yellow, and Orange (outputs from the encoder, channel 1 and channel 2, also thinner wires). The connections are illustrated in the below diagram which also shows the limit switch circuit inside each actuator, in series with the brown and blue motor leads.

Please see the Electrical product section (link above) for Female 6-pin adapters and extension leads, which are available seperately. If you have a custom lead length or connector requirement, please contact us.

User Advice

Ensure that the control hardware and power source are capable of providing sufficient current for the loads you expect the actuator to experience. We cannot be held liable for damage caused to connected hardware due to inappropriate hardware selection.

Device Safety
Electric actuators such as this model are low-voltage electromechanical components that are used in a wide variety of different applications. It is important that the safety of each installation is assessed according to its own requirements, construction, end user and environment. Please see a list of design principles on page 3 of the actuator reference sheet (PDF), which we strongly recommend that you adhere to in your end-application design.

CAD models (STEP, IGS, Autodesk Fusion 360) of the actuator are available upon request. Contact us with the size(s) and file formats that you require and we'll attach the files in return.

A PDF copy of the actuator datasheet can be downloaded here.

Operating Characteristics

Motor

12V DC brushed permanent magnet motor

Speed / Force

9.5mm/s no-load, reducing to ~4mm/s at the full rated 3000N

Operating current

No-load: ~1A during extension, ~2A during retraction (this difference is normal, due to a feature of the actuator to prevent back-driving during the usual compressive loading)
Maximum load: 8A. Do not apply power to the actuator if the load exceeds the maximum rating, this would void the warranty and be likely to damage the gearbox, bearings or motor. If using overcurrent detection to protect the motor, ensure that this is sensitive enough to react quickly to an overcurrent event.

Maximum load

3000N (305kg) for supported (linear) loads.The maximum load should be reduced if the load is not supported in an axial direction, parallel to the movement of the actuator. Longer-travel actuators are affected to a greater extent by off-axis loads.

Maximum static load

3000N (305kg)

Noise levels

< 48dB under no-load
< 52dB under full-load

Maximum duty cycle

10%. This is the maximum proportion of time that the actuator may be in operation for, up to 2 minutes during any continuous stretch. For example, if operating for 1 minute you should then allow it to rest for 9 minutes before operating again, so as to prevent overheating.

Life expectancy

Nominal 30,000 strokes

Please be aware that there is likely to be some variation in the operating performance from actuator to actuator, allow for at least 10% difference above/below the given values. If you intend to use the actuators in sets of two or more driving the same assembly then you must ensure that the driven assembly is rigid enough to transfer forces between them effectively or else the output could twist and put excessive stress on the framework and actuators. If your structure is not very rigid, or needs to stay level throughout its travel (e.g. tabletop surfaces rising/falling level to the ground) then please get in contact to discuss automatic synchronising control options.

Actuator Build Detail

Size
(click on image to expand)

 

Installation length

This is the distance from the front to rear mounting hole centres when the actuator is retracted.

100mm stroke: 300mm	200mm stroke: 400mm
300mm stroke: 500mm	400mm stroke: 600mm
500mm stroke: 700mm

Add the Installation Length to the Stroke Length to get the full travel distance, measured between the centre of the two mounting holes.

Mounting

Two 10mm-bore holes. One at the end of the cylindrical piston rod, the other towards the rear of the gearbox housing. Both mounting points feature vertical slots to enable a variety of mounting methods. Both mounting points may be rotated by 90 degrees so that the motor points perpendicularly to where it would otherwise point, which is particularly useful for hatches, furniture and other space-limited installations. Tailor-made mounting brackets are available here.

Body material

Aluminium piston-rod and main sleeve, tough plastic-enclosed (PA66+33GF) motor and gearbox housing. Cast aluminium front and rear brackets.
Enclosure rated to IP54, only suitable for outdoor use if protected (fully shielded) from running water and high levels of condensation.

Certifications

Operating temperature

0°C ~ +40°C

Transmission

Single-stage worm-wheel gear reduction (39:1 ratio), driving a 2.5mm pitch 3-start (7.5mm lead) screw

Limit switches

Two limit switches are installed at the ends of travel which automatically stop travel at the fully retracted and extended positions. The internal circuit is as pictured below (click on image to expand):

Cable

2m long 6-core lead (to connector), with 2 x 0.75mm² cores (Brown and Blue, to motor) plus 4 x 0.25mm² cores (to quadrature encoder), when the standard option is selected. 6-pin Male connector included as standard.

Weight

When supplied with standard lead

100mm stroke: 2180g	200mm stroke: 2450g
300mm stroke: 2730g	400mm stroke: 3000g
500mm stroke: 3280g