SHORTEST STROKE-TO-LENGTH RATIO
The defining engineering constraint of the Compact Series is the minimized ratio of stroke to total housing length. You get maximum travel within a minimum installed footprint.
- 70+ YEARS In Operation
- MADE IN USA Engineered & Manufactured
- GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION Worldwide Service Network
- CUSTOM-BUILT Per Application
WHY RACO
THE OEM MANUFACTURER'S CASE FOR RACO COMPACT
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MODULAR BY DESIGN
Motor type, screw selection, stroke length, and voltage are all independently specifiable. Engineers at OEM facilities can configure the compact actuator system to match existing drive infrastructure without custom fabrication lead times.
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ECONOMICAL FOR LIGHTER DUTY
The Compact Series is cost-optimized for lighter-duty applications. You're not paying for extreme-duty construction when your load profile doesn't require it. An efficient value proposition for high-volume OEM production.
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NEAR-IDENTICAL MA SERIES PERFORMANCE
Force ratings, speed ranges, and screw options carry over directly from RACO's full-scale MA Series. If you've validated the MA platform, transitioning to the Compact Series doesn't require re-engineering your performance assumptions.
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BETHEL PARK ENGINEERING SUPPORT
RACO International operates from Bethel Park, PA, giving regional OEM manufacturers direct access to applications engineers for configuration support, CAD files, and technical documentation without relying on overseas response times.
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3D CAD MODELS AVAILABLE
Validated 3D CAD files for all compact actuator configurations are available on request. Drop the geometry directly into your assembly model and verify clearances before cutting metal. Zero tolerance for design surprises.
- 4 Frame Sizes
- 110-9,000 Force Range (LBF)
- 3.9"–39.3" Stroke Range
- 24V–460V Voltage Options
ENGINEERED FOR SPACE-CONSTRAINED APPLICATIONS
When your design envelope leaves no room for full-frame actuator hardware, RACO's Compact Actuator steps in without stepping down. This compact linear actuator series achieves the smallest stroke-to-overall-length ratio in RACO's lineup, meaning less housing translates directly into more usable machine space.
Designed for lighter-duty industrial applications, the Compact series shares performance DNA with the heavy-duty MA Series. OEM manufacturers and design engineers working in medical devices, lab automation, aerospace assemblies, and electronics manufacturing rely on it when every millimeter of panel real estate is at a premium.
The flexible modular architecture lets you spec the right screw drive, motor type, stroke length, and voltage configuration without redesigning your housing. Choose between the self-locking ACME screw for reliable holding without a brake, or the precision ball screw for high-cycle positioning accuracy.
The Compact Actuator delivers comparable output force to standard units in roughly half the overall housing length. The defining advantage for space-constrained OEM designs.
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
KEY TECHNICAL PARAMETERS AT A GLANCE
All four frame sizes (2, 4, 6, and 7) share the same compact electric actuator platform. Specifications below cover representative configurations across the family.
| Frame Size | Screw Type | Force Range (lbf) | Stroke Range | Speed Range (in/s) | Voltage / Phase | Duty |
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| Size 2 | ACME / Ball | 110 – 450 | 3.9" – 15.7" | 0.1 – 3.7 | 24V DC · 1-Ph · 3-Ph | Lighter Duty |
| Size 4 | ACME / Ball | 110 – 1,680 | 3.9" – 23.6" | 0.1 – 5.7 | 24V DC · 3-Ph (105V / 140V) | Medium Duty |
| Size 6 | ACME / Ball | 1,100 – 3,375 | 7.8" – 39.3" | 2.4 – 7.6 | 3-Phase | Industrial |
| Size 7 | ACME | 4,000 – 9,000 | 7.8" – 31.4" | 0.5 – 3.3 | 3-Phase | High Force |
Detailed data sheets and full screw selection tables are available upon request. Configuration includes custom stroke increments within each size range.
SCREW DRIVE OPTIONS
ACME OR BALL SCREW: CHOOSE YOUR PERFORMANCE PROFILE
Your application's cycle rate, positioning demand, and load-holding requirements determine the right drive. The compact actuator system accommodates both screw types across all applicable frame sizes.
ACME SCREW
SELF-LOCKING · ECONOMICAL · PROVEN- Inherently self-locking — holds the load without a brake
- Cost-effective for moderate cycle applications
- Available across all four compact frame sizes
- Ideal for clamping, pressing, and gate-control tasks
- Lower maintenance — no recirculating element to service
Inherently self-locking — holds the load without a brake
BALL SCREW
HIGH ACCURACY · HIGH EFFICIENCY · HIGH CYCLE- Higher mechanical efficiency for energy-sensitive designs
- Superior positional accuracy and repeatability
- Available for Size 4 and Size 6 frames
- Suited for servo-driven, closed-loop positioning systems
- Optimized for high duty cycle and continuous motion profiles
MOTOR & DRIVE COMPATIBILITY
The modular design of RACO's compact actuator system supports a wide range of motor types, giving integrators maximum flexibility without requiring custom engineering for each configuration.
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STANDARD RACO MOTOR
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AC GEAR MOTOR
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DC GEAR MOTOR
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SERVO MOTOR
TARGET APPLICATIONS
WHERE COMPACT LINEAR ACTUATORS BELONG
Design engineers across demanding sectors specify the RACO Compact series when machinery geometry leaves no room for full-length actuators and where reliability is non-negotiable.
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FACTORY AUTOMATION & MATERIAL HANDLING
Conveyors, divert gates, automated sorting systems, and packaging lines depend on robust, space-saving actuation to maximize throughput within tight plant footprints.
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AEROSPACE
Flight control surfaces, cargo bay mechanisms, and ground support equipment benefit from the high force-to-size ratio of compact actuator systems.
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ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY
PCB handling, pick-and-place gantries, press-fit stations, and optical inspection systems demand sub-millimeter repeatability in compact industrial enclosures.
READY TO SPEC YOUR COMPACT ACTUATOR?
Our applications engineers in Bethel Park, PA, are available to help you select the right frame size, screw type, and motor configuration for your specific design envelope. 3D CAD files are available immediately upon request.