Miniature linear actuators | 'XLA'

World's smallest high-performance actuator

A miniature linear actuator that's precise, fast and durable? Meet our XLA.

These micro linear actuators are extremely versatile and reliable, making them suitable for the most demanding industrial, biomedical and scientific applications. Powered by our patented ultrasonic piezo motor.

Note: The XLA will be available with an integrated closed-loop controller from January 2025.

Micro linear actuators with high precision

At this size, there is no actuator that compares to the XLA.

	XLA-1	XLA-5	XLA-10
Force (N):	1	5	10
Width (mm):	5.4	9.1*	11.5

		All XLA's
Max. travel range (mm):	150
Encoder resolution (µm):	10 ... 0.08
Repeatability (µm):	10 ... 0.08
Max. velocity (mm/s):	> 1000
Max. positioning rate (Hz):	> 1000
Lifetime:	> 1000 km / 20,000,000 cycles
Self-locking?	Yes. Holds position, even when powered off.
Example applications:	Lens positioning, pick-and-place, dispensing, stages, ...

▼ View full specs

Select your mini linear actuator

Driving force

Rod length

= Travel range ⓘ:

Encoder resolution

Product code:

XLA-1-20-Open-L

Dimensions: 22,7 x 14,8 x 5,4 mm (4,9 mm without coverplate)
Mass: 5.5 grams

Request quote

Buy development kit

Development kit - 1250 nm encoder - €995 / $1100.
Volume pricing from click here to show.

Actuators for automated pipetting and liquid handling

Example application: Precision liquid dispensing
(For both coarse and fine motion)

Large volumes or custom designs? Explore OEM solutions

Stackable: slim design, cool operation & no electromagnetism

Portable: low-voltage, efficient & noiseless

Optional double body setup for double driving force

Optional double body setup (rod mounted)
for moving two separate objects

The XLA allows for extremely small-pitch stacking

Compact, precise & fast

No loss of accuracy over time
Maintenance free
No magnetic field generation, no cogging
Direct-drive
Low & safe voltage (<48V)
Low power consumption (<5W)
Optional integrated controller
Capable of slow scanning speeds
Self-locking and backdrivable
Noiseless
Easy OEM product integration

Technical details

Specs + drawings XLA-1-series (1N model)

Specs + drawings XLA-5-series (5N model)

Specs + drawings XLA-10-series (10N model)

Quick start guide (with position feedback / closed loop)

Quick start guide (without position feedback / open loop)

XD-OEM controller specs + manual (external, all models)

XD-Internal controller specs (integrated in actuator, XLA-5 only, from January 2025)

For detailed explanations of terminology used in specification sheets, take a look at our selection guide.

Controller:

Actuators with encoder: External XD-OEM controller. Note: Internal closed-loop controller expected in January 2025.
Actuators without encoder: Controller integrated in the micro linear actuator
Protocols: USB, RS232, EtherCAT, UART, and more (see full communication overview)
Software: Windows GUI, LabVIEW GUI, and software libraries.
Hardware: Digital I/O

Example: Multiple OEM controllers shown in multi-axis EtherCAT setup

Product videos

Control types

Closed-loop version (exact position control): External controller (XD-OEM) + integrated position sensor (= go to any position).
Note: Internal closed-loop controller (integrated in actuator) coming in January 2025. For ultimate compactness.

Open-loop version (end-to-end motion only): Integrated controller, analog/PWM speed and direction control (and limit switches). Ultra-compact. A break-out board is available for testing.

Not sure if you need a linear piezo actuator with open-loop or closed-loop? This page makes it all clear.

Linear piezo actuator | XLA

The Xeryon ultrasonic mini linear actuator is a precise and very fast linear piezo actuator driven by our noiseless Crossfixx ultrasonic motor. This allows for high speed motion and precise positioning.

The self-locking piezo motor holds the position of the actuator when it is not powered. As a result, energy consumption and heat generation are considerably reduced.

The XLA is the fastest actuator of such a small size in the world. It is a real OEM product but a break-out board is available for test setups.

Not small enough? We also design custom actuators for your specific product. Contact us to talk about a custom small actuator design.

Looking for just the motor? Have a look at our Ultrasonic motor.

Frequently asked questions

Our Crossfixx™ ultrasonic motor uses vibration to move a ceramic tip in an elliptical pattern at a very high frequency (80 kHz - 180 kHz). Spring-loaded against a ceramic strip on the actuator rod, it generates very small but rapid movements, resulting in high-speed motion and silent operation with a long lifetime.

This gives you the best of both worlds:

1) The lifetime and speed of an electromagnetic motor.
2) The precision and compactness of a piezo motor.

Xeryon’s micro linear actuators offer a unique combination of high speed, precision, long stroke, and durability in an ultra-compact design, overcoming the limitations of traditional linear actuators where trade-offs have to be made (e.g. stroke length in voice coils, speed in screw-driven actuators & size in linear motors). Xeryon’s actuators are gearless, self-locking, energy-efficient and operate at low voltages. They don’t produce a magnetic field, are back-driveable, and free from drift or play.

For a complete overview of different micro linear actuators, take a look this page.

Xeryon’s ultrasonic piezo actuators are much faster, have a much larger stroke, a much (much!) longer lifetime, operate noiselessly, consume less power, and operate at a much lower voltage at the piezo element.

In other words, they offer the precision and size of traditional piezo actuators, without their typical drawbacks.

Traditional stick-slip piezo actuators operate at much lower frequencies, typically within the frequency range of small mechanical components. Apart from being in the human audible spectrum, this introduces the risk of the piezo motor making the entire system vibrate, rather than only the motor itself.

Xeryon's ultrasonic piezo actuators operate at much higher frequencies (80 - 180 kHz), ensuring silent operation and no unwanted vibrations.

For a complete overview of different micro linear actuators, take a look this page.

No problem! There are several ways to achieve this with our miniature linear actuators:

1) Stacking multiple actuators

Xeryon's actuators are slim and stackable. Their cool operation allows them to be stacked against each other without overheating issues, and since there are no magnetic coils present, there is no risk of magnetic interference between the actuators.

2) Multiple motors on a single rod

Alternatively, multiple driving units can be combined on a single rod, doubling the driving force. Since this is not a standard product, it is best to contact our integration team about this.