An assembly for a smelting process including a lifting actuator for adjusting a height of an anode with respect to a smelting pot is provided. The lifting actuator includes a body supported adjacent to the smelting pot. A motor is connected to a drive screw located in the body and the motor rotates the drive screw. A floating nut is connected to the drive screw, and a carriage plate rests on the floating nut. At least one linear bearing rail is supported on the body and guides the carriage plate. The anode is mounted on the carriage plate such that the motor drives the floating nut axially within the body to adjust a height of the anode with respect to the smelting pot.