New in the Range: The U5 500N Actuator and the 12-Speed HH-31ZY Worm Gear Motor

Two gaps in our range kept coming up. At the light end of the actuator line, the smallest jobs — a cabinet flap, a small hatch, a piece of equipment that only needs a gentle push — were being served by actuators built for several times the load. And on the rotary side, one fixed gear ratio rarely matches the speed a small mechanism actually needs. Two recently added products close those gaps: the U5, our lightest linear actuator, and the HH-31ZY worm gear motor, now offered with twelve rated speed options.

Neither is a scaled-down or dressed-up version of something else. Each was added for a specific kind of job, so here is what they are, what the numbers say, and how to tell whether one of them is the right fit.

The U5: a 500N actuator for light work

The U5 is the lightest actuator in the range, rated at 500 N of push force with 400 N of pull. That puts it in the class of jobs where the load is a panel, a lid, a flap, or a light mechanism rather than a structure: small equipment covers, light hatches, adjustable furniture parts, display and access panels, and similar work where a 900 N or heavier actuator would simply be more machine than the job needs.

It runs at 10 mm/s unloaded and 7 mm/s at full load — the same speed class as our U1 — so light loads still move at a useful pace. When power is cut, a self-locking force of 800 N holds the load in position, which matters for lids and panels that must stay where they were left. It is also quiet, rated below 40 dB, and sealed to IP54 against dust and splashing water.

The eighteen variants let you match the voltage — 12V or 24V — and the size to the installation rather than adapting the installation to the actuator; the product page lists each combination with its price, between $62.99 and $78.99. For a light load, that range of choice matters more than raw force: the right call is the smallest unit that clears your force calculation with room to spare, and for many small jobs that unit is now this one.

The low current draw is worth a note for anyone planning the power side: at 3 A full load on 12V, the U5 is an undemanding load for a small supply or a battery setup. Our power supply sizing guide walks through the headroom to leave above that figure. Full specifications, stroke options, and drawings are on the U5 product page.

The HH-31ZY: one worm gear motor, twelve speeds

Worm gear motors trade speed for torque in a compact right-angle package, and the ratio decides where on that trade-off a given motor sits. The HH-31ZY is now offered in twelve rated speed options spanning 5.6 to 149.3 RPM, in 12V or 24V, all at the same $29.99. The slow end suits tasks that need a deliberate, forceful turn; the fast end suits light mechanisms that need to move quickly. Picking the ratio is picking the behaviour, and our actuator speed guide explains how to think about speed against load before you choose.

The package is small: the motor body is Ø31 mm by 57 mm long and the gearbox measures 58 × 40 mm, with an Ø8 mm output shaft. Mounting is by four M4 holes, 7 mm deep, on a 40 × 28 mm pattern — worth checking against your bracket or housing before ordering, as with any motor swap.

Typical fits are small rotary mechanisms: turntables and display drives, small conveyors and feeders, valve and damper actuation, and DIY automation builds where a right-angle drive saves space. The torque figures differ by ratio, so for the exact value at the speed you are considering, see the HH-31ZY product page.

If your mechanism needs an even smaller drive, the HH-370 worm gear motor at $15.99 uses a brass worm (confirmed with the factory) and a 6 mm D-shaft.

How to choose between them

The first question is the motion itself. If the job pushes or pulls in a straight line — opening, lifting, extending — it is actuator work, and the U5 is the candidate when the load is light and the force calculation lands comfortably under 500 N. If the job turns something — a shaft, a wheel, a rotary table — it is motor work, and the HH-31ZY is the candidate.

The second question is the working point. For the U5, that means checking the load against the 500 N rating and confirming the retracted space you have fits the stroke plus 105 mm. For the HH-31ZY, it means deciding which of the twelve speeds matches your mechanism, then confirming the mounting pattern and shaft size against your housing. In both cases the product pages carry the full specification tables; if a number you need is not in this article, it is there rather than guessed here.

FAQ

Is the U5 strong enough for a trapdoor or heavy hatch?

It is rated at 500 N push and 400 N pull. Whether that is enough depends on the hatch weight and hinge geometry, not the label on the door. Work through the force first; if the number lands near or above the rating, step up to a heavier actuator in the range instead.

Can the U5 run on a battery?

Yes. At 12V it draws 0.8 A unloaded and 3 A at full load, which suits small battery setups. Size the battery and wiring for the full-load figure, and keep the 10–20% duty cycle in mind for repeated cycling.

How do I pick one of the twelve HH-31ZY speeds?

Start from the output speed your mechanism needs, then check the torque at that ratio on the product page — slower ratios turn with more force, faster ratios with less. If the mechanism's required speed falls between two options, the slower one is usually the safer pick where load is involved.

Does the HH-31ZY hold position when powered off?

A worm drive resists being back-driven by the load, which is one reason the type is chosen for dampers and valves. For the holding behaviour of a specific ratio, see the product page.

What is in the box, and are controllers included?

Actuators are supplied as the bare unit; control kits are sold separately so you can match the control to the job. The product pages list exactly what each item includes.

Where to go next

Full specifications, drawings, and ordering options are on the U5 product page and the HH-31ZY product page. If you are still at the planning stage, the speed selection guide and the power supply guide cover the two decisions that most often decide whether a small drive project works the first time. And if your job falls between sizes or you are not sure which side of the line-versus-rotation line it sits on, write to us with the load and the motion you need — we would rather help you pick correctly than sell you the wrong unit.