Thread: Air VS Electric

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I'm new here so forgive me if this has come up before. I wasnt able to find a post asking this question...

Why are 99% of Halloween Props using Air Pneumatics VS Electric?

There are some pretty strong electric linear actuators out there with many different strokes to pick from.

Thanks,
Jerry Greene

I think there are a lot of reasons. Personally, I like the flexibility of using air. It gives you a lot of options to achieve a wider range of motions using simple mechanical configurations. It's cheaper, very dependable, stong. Not to mention it is faster. Most linear electric actuators just do not have the speed or the travel of air actuators. It is pretty hard to damage pneumatic actuators too. If you jam something up or it binds, the air just compresses. Not overheating, no blown fuses, no burned out motors.

If you are looking for smaller, more exact movements like in a 3 axis skull, then I think electric may be the way to go.

I use linear actuators in many of my props for when I want slow movement with lots of power. I also use pneumatics when I want quicker movement for the "startle" factor. I think why we see more threads on pneumatics here is because they are generaly less expensive to use and most props need to move faster than an electric actuator is capable of. When I need serious power, I use hydraulics!