Linear Actuator Voice Coil Actuators and Motors
Last Updated: January 31, 2025
Description
Linear Actuator Voice Coil Actuators and Motors are devices that produce linear motion through the interaction of a magnetic field and an electric current. They are capable of generating precise and controlled movements, making them suitable for applications requiring high accuracy and responsiveness.
Working Principle
Voice coil actuators operate based on the Lorentz force principle. They consist of a coil assembly and a permanent magnetic field assembly. When an electric current passes through the coil, it interacts with the magnetic field, generating a force perpendicular to the current's direction. This force causes the coil to move linearly. The direction of the force can be reversed by changing the current's polarity, allowing for bidirectional movement. The simplicity of their construction, combined with the absence of cogging or commutation, makes them highly efficient and reliable for precise motion control .
Applications
Voice coil actuators are used in a variety of applications due to their precision and responsiveness. Specific examples include focusing mechanisms in optical systems, oscillatory systems for vibration testing, mirror tilting in laser systems, and miniature position control in robotics and medical devices .
Advantages over other Voice Coil Actuators and Motors
Voice coil actuators offer several advantages, including high acceleration capabilities due to low electrical inductance and moving mass, which enable fast current inflow. They also exhibit very low hysteresis, ensuring consistent performance across their operating range. The simplicity of their design, requiring no commutation, contributes to their robustness and ease of control .
Limitations
One limitation of voice coil actuators is their displacement range, which is typically limited to a few inches. Additionally, their performance is highly dependent on the precision of the system's position-sensing and driver capabilities, which can limit their accuracy in certain applications .
Considerations
When considering voice coil actuators, it is important to evaluate initial costs, which can vary based on the complexity and specifications of the actuator. Operating expenses are generally low due to their efficient design and minimal maintenance requirements. Durability is enhanced by their simple construction and low bearing loads, contributing to a long operational life. However, achieving high accuracy may require investment in precise position-sensing systems and advanced controllers, which can increase overall costs .
from PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Product overview. The PIglide stage with air bearing and voice coil drive offers high velocity and acceleration in a compact package. The contactless components of the motion platform ensure the highest performance, quality, and lifetime. Accessories and options. PIglide filter and air preparation... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 28
- Peak Current: 10
- Coil Inductance: 1.4
from GEEPLUS Inc.
Standard products or slightly modified version of, can be used in most applications and will perform their task to a satisfactory standard. They will complete the task, but are not necessarily in the most efficient nor effective way. They are in part designed to be generic so that they can cover a... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from Sensata Technologies
BEI Kimco Frameless Voice Coil Actuators (VCA), also known as un-housed VCAs, are sold in pairs, featuring both the coil and the field assemblies, which are required to be aligned within the customer ’s application. Frameless VCAs are the most cost effective and versatile types of linear... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Travel ranges to 20 mm. Velocity to 250 mm/s. Integrated linear encoder, 0.01 µm resolution. Optional force sensor with 1 mN resolution. Optional: Weight force compensation. Maximum force 10 N. Resolution 0.01 µm (open-loop). Long Lifetime; >10 million cycles. C-413: Motion controller... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Electrical Time Constant: 375
- Peak Current: 0.8000
- DC Resistance: 16
from GEEPLUS Inc.
The VM series of Voice Coils Motors addresses applications where excellent control characteristics for short stroke bidirectional linear actuation is required, e.g. in medical or optical equipment. Voice Coil Actuators can develop force in either direction by reversing polarity of excitation. Very... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 5
- Peak Current: 0.2880 to 1.13
- DC Resistance: 2.8 to 43
from Sensata Technologies
BEI Kimco Frameless Voice Coil Actuators (VCA), also known as un-housed VCAs, are sold in pairs, featuring both the coil and the field assemblies, which are required to be aligned within the customer ’s application. Frameless VCAs are the most cost effective and versatile types of linear... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Force up to 20 N. Velocity up to 750 mm/s. Integrated linear encoder, 0.01 µm resolution. Weight force compensation. Optional force sensor with 1 mN resolution. OEM Linear Actuator. PIMag ® voice coil linear drive, high velocity and high dynamics. Low wear and high lifetime. Integrated... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Electrical Time Constant: 430
- Peak Current: 1.5
- DC Resistance: 5.3 to 6.3
from GEEPLUS Inc.
The VM series of Voice Coils Motors addresses applications where excellent control characteristics for short stroke bidirectional linear actuation is required, e.g. in medical or optical equipment. Voice Coil Actuators can develop force in either direction by reversing polarity of excitation. Very... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 28
- Peak Current: 0.5000 to 2.3
- DC Resistance: 3.7 to 67
from Sensata Technologies
BEI Kimco “Linear Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) with Integrated Position Sensor ” is a housed VCA with an integrated Hall effect sensor. This convenient design enables users to run the actuator in a closed loop, allowing them to directly control the velocity, position, acceleration and/or... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.2504
- Peak Force (FP): 3.5
from GEEPLUS Inc.
The VM series of Voice Coils Motors addresses applications where excellent control characteristics for short stroke bidirectional linear actuation is required, e.g. in medical or optical equipment. Voice Coil Actuators can develop force in either direction by reversing polarity of excitation. Very... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 42
- Peak Current: 1.3 to 2.9
- DC Resistance: 3.5 to 17.1
from Sensata Technologies
A BEI Kimco fully housed Voice Coil Actuators (VCA) further expands upon the idea of the semi-housed VCA, incorporating the self-aligning bushings and shaft, but fully captures the coil assembly to keep it concentric with the field assembly, adds an internal flex circuit to protect external moving... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.1575
- Peak Force (FP): 0.4249
from GEEPLUS Inc.
The VM series of Voice Coils Motors from Geeplus addresses applications where excellent control for short stroke, bidirectional linear actuation is required –in medical or optical equipment, for example. Engineers can use our handy Coil Calculator tool to compare performance and get a... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 10
- Peak Current: 1010 to 1172
- DC Resistance: 2.6 to 3.5
from Sensata Technologies
Semi-housed voice coil actuators (VCA) from BEI Kimco enhance the basic frameless VCAs by adding both a shaft and self-aligning bushings to the unit. The lead wires have also been upgraded to a high flex variant, allowing for added protection from wear and tear. Various shaft options are available... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 2
- Peak Force (FP): 550
from Sensata Technologies
Semi-housed voice coil actuators (VCA) from BEI Kimco enhance the basic frameless VCAs by adding both a shaft and self-aligning bushings to the unit. The lead wires have also been upgraded to a high flex variant, allowing for added protection from wear and tear. Various shaft options are available... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 2
- Peak Force (FP): 550
from Sensata Technologies
Rectangular voice coil actuators (VCA) from BEI Kimco are linear VCAs just like the cylindrical models, but are often used for applications that require a higher force and/or a longer stroke. Due to their shape, they can be designed to fit into tighter or thinner systems or optimized for their sheer... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.3937
- Peak Force (FP): 8.5
from Celera Motion
The Juke Series enables OEMs to move light payloads with high acceleration and dynamic motion profiles. No commutation is required, simplifying wiring and increasing system reliability. Moving magnet and moving coil configurations make it easy for the Juke Series to be tightly integrated into... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Peak Force (FP): 1.8 to 39.34
- Continuous Power: 25 to 65
- Linear Stroke: 0.2362 to 0.7874
from Ningbo Kepo Electronics Co., Ltd.
Kepo customizes Z -direction linear motors for push-buttons and touchscreens in all dimensions. The products are of strong F0 stability, high-temperature resistance (150 ℃), large acceleration, high peak value (3.20g), good reliability, and wide vibration frequency. Features: Strong F0... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Peak Force (FP): 0.0044
from MotiCont
These motors, having a large axial hole throughout the entire coil and body structure are ideal for optical focusing, scanning and other precision positioning applications. This type of motor is supplied without internal linear bearings and shaft. A customer supplied linear bearing is required to... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.1250 to 2.5
- Peak Force (FP): 0.3125 to 1.02
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC02-13-010-1MR) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. In certain uses of voice coil actuators there is a desire to manufacture them with... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from Piezosystem Jena, Inc.
linear travel range of 20 mm. feedback encoder. integrated repeatability within the nm range. generated forces of up to 18 N. typ. resolution of 0.05 µm. The linear drive voice coil series was developed for exact positioning of components over a long travel range. The stages are based on a... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Peak Force (FP): 2.02
- Continuous Power: 5
from Celera Motion
The Juke Series enables OEMs to move light payloads with high acceleration and dynamic motion profiles. No commutation is required, simplifying wiring and increasing system reliability. Moving magnet and moving coil configurations make it easy for the Juke Series to be tightly integrated into... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Peak Force (FP): 1.12 to 10.34
- Continuous Power: 3 to 18
- Linear Stroke: 0.0787 to 1.57
from Ningbo Kepo Electronics Co., Ltd.
Kepo customizes Z -direction linear motors for push-buttons and touchscreens in all dimensions. The products are of strong F0 stability, high-temperature resistance (150 °C), large acceleration, high peak value (3.20g), good reliability, and wide vibration frequency. Features: Strong F0... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Peak Force (FP): 0.0031
from MotiCont
Linear DC Motors, Voice Coil Motors (VCM) or Voice Coil Actuators (VCA) are the simplest type of electric motors. These motors consist of two separate parts; the magnetic housing and the coil. This type of motor is supplied without internal linear bearings and shaft. A customer supplied linear... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.2500 to 2.5
- Peak Force (FP): 0.1812 to 58
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC05-11-011-1V) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. This actuator has been manufactured using low-outgassing materials as selected by NASA in... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from MotiCont
Linear DC Motors, Voice Coil Motors (VCM) or Voice Coil Actuators (VCA) are the simplest type of electric motors. These motors consist of two separate parts; the magnetic housing and the coil. This type of motor is supplied with internal linear bearings and shaft. Applying a voltage across the... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Linear Stroke: 0.1250 to 5.25
- Peak Force (FP): 0.3125 to 58
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC34-25-060-1X) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. This actuator also comes supplied with a thru hole, should your application require a... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
from H2W Technologies
H2W Technologies Voice Coils are ideal for short stroke (typically less than 2 inches) closed loop servo applications. Their compact size allows them to fit into small spaces. They have very low electrical and mechanical time constants. The low moving mass allows for high accelerations of light... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 0.8000
- Electrical Time Constant: 40
from H2W Technologies
This actuator (NCM01-07-004-2NH) comes supplied with a thru hole, should your application require a hollow actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 3
- Peak Current: 1.8
- Electrical Time Constant: 40
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-05-005-4JBH) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. This actuator also comes supplied with a thru hole, should your application require a hollow actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 70
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-05-005-4JBL) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. Springs are supplied so that this actuator will work ideally in oscillatory systems, so that the actuator can move as... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 70
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-05-005-4JBMC) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 70
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-05-005-4JBMS) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. Springs are supplied so that this actuator will work ideally in oscillatory systems, so that the actuator can move... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 70
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-10-008-2JBA) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 4
- Peak Current: 3.5
- Electrical Time Constant: 230
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM03-06-005-5JBL) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. Springs are supplied so that this actuator will work ideally in oscillatory systems, so that the actuator can move as... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 0.6000
- Electrical Time Constant: 110
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM03-20-089-2LB) comes supplied with an integrated recirculating ball bushing linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 19
- Peak Current: 5.8
- DC Resistance: 5
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM05-06-008-5JB) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 1.3
- Electrical Time Constant: 120
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM06-06-004-3JBT) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 6
- Peak Current: 4.3
- Electrical Time Constant: 120
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM08-17-050-2LB) comes supplied with an integrated recirculating ball bushing linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 20
- Peak Current: 5.3
- Electrical Time Constant: 460
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM08-25-100-2LB) comes supplied with an integrated recirculating ball bushing linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 21
- Peak Current: 4.3
- Electrical Time Constant: 490
from H2W Technologies
Typically an H2W Moving Magnet Actuator has precision bushings and shaft which cause the moving magnet design to be cost prohibitive. However not every customer requires a bushing with high tolerance precision, and thus H2W has the ability to modify the linear bearing systems of our voice coil... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 8
- Peak Current: 6
- Electrical Time Constant: 320
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM20-19-050-2BX) comes supplied with an integrated plastic linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 38
- Peak Current: 11.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 610
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM30-40-600-2LB) comes supplied with an integrated recirculating ball bushing linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 186
- Peak Current: 15.2
- Electrical Time Constant: 730
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC01-04-001-1X) comes supplied with a plastic bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 0.6000 to 5.1
- Peak Current: 1.8
- Electrical Time Constant: 42
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC01-07-001-1R) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. In certain uses of voice coil actuators there is a desire to manufacture them with... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 1.1
- Peak Current: 1.3
- Electrical Time Constant: 30
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC01-09-001-1NH) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. This actuator also comes supplied with a thru hole, should your application require a... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 1
- Peak Current: 1.5
- Electrical Time Constant: 590
from H2W Technologies
This moving coil actuator (NCC02-07-001-1R) comes supplied with an aluminum bobbin in order to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the bobbin, and allow for a minimal resistance to the desired motion. In certain uses of voice coil actuators there is a desire to manufacture them with... [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 1
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 76
from H2W Technologies
This moving magnet actuator (NCM02-05-005-4JB) comes supplied with an integrated synthetic jewel linear bearing, which has been selected especially for the usage with this actuator. [See More]
- Device Type: Linear
- Continuous Power: 2
- Peak Current: 2.1
- Electrical Time Constant: 70