Recently I started working on a small automation project at home and quickly realized that picking a linear actuator is not as simple as it looks. There are different stroke lengths load capacities and voltage options and it becomes confusing when you try to match everything to your setup. I am especially unsure about how to balance size and force without overcomplicating the system. If someone has already gone through this selection process I would really like to hear how you approached it and what helped you narrow things down.