Motion Systems
Motion Systems Corporation, founded in 1972 in Eatontown, NJ, is a family-owned US manufacturer of custom electromechanical linear actuators (40–1,500 lb capacity) built on proprietary Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, serving medical, industrial, military, marine, and specialty OEMs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersEatontown, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Motion Systems does
Motion Systems Corporation is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1972 and headquartered in Eatontown, New Jersey. The company designs and builds custom electromechanical linear actuators with load capacities spanning roughly 40 to 1,500 pounds, supplying OEMs and integrators across Medical, Industrial Automation, Military/Defense, Commercial/Consumer, Marine, and Specialty end markets. Named reference customers and partners include Ack Attack, Ideomotion, Aerial Fire Control, FDNY, NASA, and West Point, alongside academic engagements with the University of Akron and the University of Kentucky.
Core products are built around a proprietary Epicyclic (Planetary) Ball Screw architecture that incorporates an integral freewheeling clutch, packaged as custom-engineered electromechanical actuators. These are designed into customer applications such as the Aerial Fire Control "Water Hog" helicopter firefighting bucket and the Ideomotion LiftWalker medical mobility device. The company highlights American manufacturing ("Made in America since 1972") and supports engineering selection through a 3D CAD product configurator on its website.
The business model is project-based and quote-driven: each actuator is specified to a customer's mechanical, load, duty-cycle, and environmental requirements and is non-returnable, with no disclosed standard price list. Go-to-market combines direct sales engineering with content marketing (e.g., Design World / motioncontroltips.com) and trade-show presence, targeting motion-control design engineers and OEM procurement. The company has not disclosed outside funding, M&A, or revenue, consistent with a long-standing family-owned specialty manufacturer rather than a venture-backed growth business.
Motion Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Motion Systems
- Legal name
- Motion Systems Corporation
- Website
- https://actuator.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Motion Systems Corporation, founded in 1972 in Eatontown, NJ, is a family-owned US manufacturer of custom electromechanical linear actuators (40–1,500 lb capacity) built on proprietary Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, serving medical, industrial, military, marine, and specialty OEMs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Motion Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Eatontown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Motion Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Linear Actuator Sales: Motion Systems manufactures custom electromechanical linear actuators ranging in capacity from 40 lbs to 1500 lbs. Products include various actuator series (85151, 85199, 85559, 85615, 85915) with different configurations (translating tube and open screw types). Customers can customize stroke, motor type, gear ratio, and mounting configurations. All units are made to customer specifications.
- Replacement Parts and Motors: Replacement motors are available for most actuator models, featuring pre-installed worms on motor shafts. Gear ratio identification is supported through technical documentation and photos.
- Repair and Service: Motion Systems offers repair services for actuators. Customers must obtain a Return Authorization Number before sending units for evaluation. A no-charge evaluation is performed, followed by cost advisory and repair completion.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Actuator Manufacturing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Motion Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Motion Systems manufactures and sells custom electromechanical linear actuators built around its proprietary Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, available in load capacities from 40 to 1,500 lbs across multiple form factors (miniature, standard, heavy-duty, inline, pedestal, and power-drive). The company supplies these actuators, along with a complementary gear motor and supporting repair services and replacement parts, to OEM and end-user customers in medical, industrial, military, marine, commercial, and specialty vehicle applications.
Product overview
Motion Systems Corporation manufactures the industry's largest selection of custom electromechanical linear actuators, ranging in capacity from 40 lbs (177 N) to 1500 lbs (6666 N). The product portfolio includes multiple actuator families: Linear Actuators (85915-85560 series) as the core product line with load capacities from 40 to 1500 lbs; Linear Pedestal Actuators (85872/85272/85972) providing telescoping mechanisms with integrated base mounts; Linear Actuators with Potentiometer (85615/85151/85199) adding position feedback capability; Inline Linear Actuators (85261/85262) for space-constrained applications; Power Drive Actuators (85237/85238) using Acme drive screws; and Gear Motors (85150) for torque applications. All units feature high efficiency Epicyclic (Planetary) Ball Screws with integral freewheeling at stroke ends and are manufactured in the USA since 1972.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Linear Actuators (Models 85915/85916) Custom electromechanical Epicyclic Ball Screw linear actuators (models 85915 / 85916) with up to 40 lbs load capacity, intended for OEM customers needing miniature-format linear motion in medical, commercial, or specialty equipment.
- Linear Actuators (Models 85615/85616) Custom electromechanical Epicyclic Ball Screw linear actuators (models 85615 / 85616) with up to 100 lbs load capacity, built to order for OEM applications requiring compact, freewheeling-capable linear motion.
- Linear Actuators (Models 85151/85152) Custom electromechanical Epicyclic Ball Screw linear actuators (models 85151 / 85152) rated up to 500 lbs load capacity, built to order for OEM and end-user applications across medical, industrial, military, marine, commercial, and specialty-vehicle equipment.
- Linear Actuators (Models 85199/85200) Custom electromechanical Epicyclic Ball Screw linear actuators (models 85199 / 85200) rated up to 1,000 lbs load capacity, built to order for OEMs requiring higher-load ruggedized linear motion.
- Linear Actuators (Models 85559/85560) Custom electromechanical Epicyclic Ball Screw linear actuators (models 85559 / 85560) rated up to 1,500 lbs load capacity, engineered for the heaviest OEM and end-user linear motion applications.
- Inline Linear Actuators (Models 85261/85262) Inline-form-factor electromechanical linear actuators (models 85261 / 85262) using the proprietary Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, rated up to 500 lbs dynamic load, offered for OEM installations where straight-in-line actuator geometry is required.
- Linear Pedestal Actuators Electromechanical linear actuators in pedestal form factor (models 85872, 85272, 85972) using Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, built to order for OEM applications requiring a pedestal mount configuration, offered across multiple duty ratings.
- Linear Actuators with Potentiometer Custom electromechanical linear actuators with integrated linear potentiometer position feedback, available across base actuator series, intended for OEM applications that require closed-loop or position-indicative motion control.
- Power Drive Actuators (Models 85237/85238) Electromechanical power-drive-format linear actuators (models 85237 / 85238) built around Acme drive screws with up to 500 lbs dynamic load capacity, offering an alternative drive-screw technology to the Epicyclic Ball Screw product family.
- Gear Motor (Model 85150) Standalone electromechanical gear motor (model 85150) used as the drive element for Motion Systems' linear actuator family and offered to OEMs requiring a worm-gear-reduced motor component.
- Repair and Service Manufacturer-direct repair and overhaul service for previously sold Motion Systems electromechanical actuators, using original specifications and tooling to restore units for medical, industrial, military, marine, commercial, and specialty-vehicle applications.
- Replacement Parts and Motors Manufacturer-direct replacement parts and replacement motors for installed Motion Systems actuators, supporting long-lifecycle equipment and enabling OEM and end-user repairs of legacy units.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ball cage mechanism achieves over 1 million mechanical cycles on linear potentiometer feedback devices
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Motion Systems
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Motion Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Motion Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Design World / motioncontroltips.comminorDesign World's motioncontroltips.com featured Motion Systems Corporation's collaboration with Ideomotion on the New LiftWalker, covering the mechanical details of how the ball drive actuator assists patients in standing and walking.
- Ideomotion, LLCcoreMotion Systems Corporation collaborated with Ideomotion to provide the Model 85199 Ball Drive actuator for the New LiftWalker, a medical device that helps wheelchair-bound individuals stand and walk. The 1,000-pound-rated actuator provides the mechanical muscle to safely assist patients into an upright position using a patented design that activates multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
- Aerial Fire Control (AFC)coreMotion Systems Corporation has a continued partnership with Australian-based Aerial Fire Control to enhance the Water Hog helicopter firefighting bucket. Motion Systems customized the Model 85199 Linear Actuator for the Water Hog, enabling it to lift loads up to 52,000 pounds and dip-fill from large bodies of water. AFC has become the world's first choice in helicopter carried fire equipment thanks to this customization capability.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Motion Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Linak: Linak is one of the world's largest manufacturers of electric linear actuators, serving medical, industrial, and comfort furniture applications. Directly comparable to Motion Systems' core product line, though at substantially greater scale and with a global distribution network.
- Tolomatic: Tolomatic designs and manufactures electric linear actuators, rod-style actuators, and motion control products for industrial automation. Comparable in customization approach and target applications (medical, packaging, industrial automation), though Tolomatic offers broader product breadth including pneumatic options.
- Progressive Automations: Progressive Automations manufactures a wide range of linear actuators, including custom and standard models for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. Closely mirrors Motion Systems' product breadth and customization capability, with a stronger e-commerce/distribution presence.
- Firgelli Automations: Firgelli produces electric linear actuators and motion control products, with a focus on consumer and light-industrial applications (home automation, furniture, robotics). Directly competes with Motion Systems in lower-capacity ranges (40-500 lbs), though with more standardized catalog offerings.
- Actuonix Motion Devices: Actuonix designs and manufactures miniature linear actuators and linear motion products for OEM applications in robotics, medical, and industrial automation. Closely comparable to Motion Systems' miniature product lines (85915/85615 series), with stronger catalog distribution.
- Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions: Haydon Kerk (a brand of Ametek) manufactures precision linear actuators, lead screws, and stepping motor-based motion products. Comparable to Motion Systems' ball screw actuators with strong overlap in medical, automation, and instrumentation applications.
- Ultra Motion: Ultra Motion designs and builds custom electric linear actuators and cylinders for aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial markets. Closely parallels Motion Systems' customization-heavy, multi-vertical strategy at a similarly small scale.
Broad incumbents
- Thomson Industries: Thomson (a unit of Altra Industrial Motion) manufactures a broad portfolio of linear motion products including actuators, ball screws, and linear guides. Overlaps with Motion Systems' ball screw and actuator lines but serves a wider industrial customer base at much larger scale.
- Wittenstein (Wittenstein SE): Wittenstein is a German manufacturer of precision gearboxes, servo actuators, and mechatronic drive systems serving robotics, aerospace, and medical markets. Overlaps with Motion Systems' gearmotor/actuator portfolio but at substantially higher precision and price points with broader systems offering.
Others
- PITTMAN (Ametek): PITTMAN, part of Ametek's Precision Motion Control division, manufactures DC brush and brushless motors, gearmotors, and motion components. Adjacent to Motion Systems as a supplier/customer of motors and gearmotors for actuator assemblies; comparable technology footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Motion Systems social profiles
Digital presenceMotion Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Motion Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Motion Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Motion Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Motion Systems
What does Motion Systems do?
Motion Systems manufactures and sells custom electromechanical linear actuators built around its proprietary Epicyclic Ball Screw technology, available in load capacities from 40 to 1,500 lbs across multiple form factors (miniature, standard, heavy-duty, inline, pedestal, and power-drive). The company supplies these actuators, along with a complementary gear motor and supporting repair services and replacement parts, to OEM and end-user customers in medical, industrial, military, marine, commercial, and specialty vehicle applications.
Is Motion Systems a public or private company?
Motion Systems is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Motion Systems founded?
Motion Systems was founded in 1972. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Motion Systems based?
Motion Systems is headquartered in Eatontown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Motion Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Linear Actuator Sales are the primary driver. The others are replacement Parts and Motors and repair and Service.
Who are Motion Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Linak, Tolomatic, Progressive Automations, Firgelli Automations, Actuonix Motion Devices, Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions and Ultra Motion. Broad incumbents are Thomson Industries and Wittenstein (Wittenstein SE). PITTMAN (Ametek) is listed as an others.
Does Motion Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Motion Systems.