Linear electric motor (stepper)
80 in/s Optimal Engineering Systems

OES' linear stepper motors are ideal for open loop positioning applications with light payloads. They can be used at speeds up to 80 in /sec (2 m/sec) and strokes up to 144" (3.6 m). Linear stepper motors are capable of very precise position, velocity and acceleration control when coupled with a micro-stepping drive and indexer.

The short moving assembly called a "forcer" is guided by either roller or air-bearings along he precision ground track called a "platen". The bearings are designed to support the customer's payload and to maintain the required .001" (0.025 mm) gap between the platen and the forcer.

The forcer conveniently connects to any commercially available 2-phase micro-stepper driver. The motion achieved with a full step is .010" (250 microns) and with a micro-step of 250 it's 0.00004" (1 micron).

These motors are also available with 4 windings to be used with a 4 phase stepper motor driver s. The advantage of using a 4-phase motor is higher resolution and lower velocity ripple.

The linear stepper motoris a complete positioning stage with the motor, the bearings and the positioning system all built into one compact package.

Integrating a linear encoder with the stepping provides a closed loop system.