Linear Motor Basics

Today's linear motion applications are more demanding than ever before. Faster throughput, more exact positioning, longer life, less maintenance, fewer moving parts, the list is never ending. Motion control companies strive to meet and exceed these requirements by continual technological advancement. Less than a decade ago, it was a difficult task to find a commercially available linear bearing that could travel 5 meters per second with straightness, load capacity and stiffness. Today there are many linear bearings with these attributes and they are fairly cost effective. Advancements in linear encoder technology allow higher speed operation too. Today's linear encoders and other devices are able to meet this challenge, are less noise susceptible, and cost less. So with two of the three primary linear motion elements rising to the high speed, high accuracy challenge, the limiting factor is the drive drain.