I’ve worked in a factory for almost fifteen years, and hear the term “solenoid” tossed around a lot by maintenance. I have no idea what one is, so I smile and nod.
In: Engineering
You know what a hydraulic piston is, right? You apply hydraulic pressure and the piston moves either in or out depending on the configuration? A solenoid is that, but electric instead of hydraulic. Also, they are almost always super tiny and super fast, compared with the hydraulic version.
They’re used all over the place in mechanical systems, like for pulling levers, changing gearing, actuating a clutch or a brake, etc.
A solenoid is a type of ‘linear actuator’. So is a hydraulic or pneumatic piston. It actuates a mechanical element or linkage in a linear fashion. (Compare ‘linear’ to ‘rotational’ as in a motor… which also has electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic counterparts.)
Edit: Anticipating further questions:
A stepper motor is a rotational actuator which can move an accurate amount given an accurate amount of energy provided the resistance to movement doesn’t exceed a threshold. (If it does, the controller will have no way to know the position of the stepper motor.) I’m only aware of these existing in electric form.
A servo is a rotational actuator that can move an accurate amount given an accurate amount of energy and can provide force feedback to a controller so it’s position can be determined if it’s moved by or fails to move because of an outside force. I understand that these have electric and hydraulic counterparts.
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