Introduction

Linear motors have found applications in just about all industries and markets
where any of the following combination of attributes is required: long strokes,
high speed, accuracy, or repeatability.
Mechanically driven linear products may have some of these attributes but
only linear motors can have all of the attributes.
Linear motors are available in the same types as rotary motors.
This is because a linear motor can be considered a rotary motor that has been
slit open and rolled out flat.
The major difference between linear motors and rotary motors is the part that
moves.
In a rotary motor, the motor windings are stationary while the motor core
rotates.
In a linear motor this is generally reversed: the motor windings or forcer moves
while the core or rack base is stationary.
This results in the base being very long compared to the forcer.
For all linear motors to work, some kind of bearing support is required.
This is usually provided by linear guides or bearings.

Types of motors

How it works? /Principle of operation

A linear stepping motor operates on the same
electromagnetic principles as a rotary hybrid stepping
motor.
The moving element is called a forcer.
The stationary part is called the platen.
The stator or platen is a passive toothed steel bar
extending over the desired length of travel.
All permanent magnets, electromagnets and bearings
are incorporated into the armature or forcer.
The forcer moves bidirectional along the platen,
assuring discrete locations in response to the state of
the currents in the field windings.

Components of motor

Advantages/disadvantages of linear stepper

motors
Advantages
Low cost for control achieved
High torque at startup and low speeds
Ruggedness
Simplicity of construction
Can operate in an open loop control system
Low maintenance
Less likely to stall or slip
Will work in any environment
Can be used in robotics in a wide scale.
High reliability
The rotation angle of the motor is proportional to the input
pulse.
The motor has full torque at standstill (if the windings are
energized)
Precise positioning and repeatability of movement since good
stepper motors have an accuracy of 3 5% of a step and this
error is non-cumulative from one step to the next.
Excellent response to starting/stopping/reversing.
Very reliable since there are no contact brushes in the motor.
Therefore, the life of the motor is simply dependent on the
life of the bearing.
The motors response to digital input pulses provides openloop control, making the motor simpler and less costly to
control.
It is possible to achieve very low-speed synchronous rotation
with a load that is directly coupled to the shaft.
A wide range of rotational speeds can be realized as the
speed is proportional to the frequency of the input pulses.

Disadvantages
Require a dedicated
control circuit
Use more current than
D.C. motors
Torque reduces at
higher speeds
Resonances can occur
if not properly
controlled.
Not easy to operate at
extremely high speeds

Application

Linear motors offer solutions to a variety of applications and industries. In applications that
require high-speed, low-mass moves, the linear-motor is an alternative to conventional
rotary-to-linear conversion devices such as leadscrews, rack and pinion, belt drives,
pneumatic and hydraulic actuators. Speed, distance, and acceleration are easily
programmed in a highly repeatable fashion. Potential industrial and applications include:
Printed circuit board assembly
Industrial sewing machines
Light assembly automation
Automatic inspection
Wire harness making
Automotive manufacturing
Gauging
Packaging
Medical uses
Parts transfer
Pick and place
Laser cut and trim systems
Flying cutters
Semiconductor wafer processing
Water jet cutting
Print heads
Fiber optics manufacture
X-Y plotters