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Linear brushless servo motors generate up to 13,813N peak thrust force

• modular track facilitates unlimited travel stroke

February 4th, 2004 --- Baldor has released a new series of advanced iron core brushless linear servo motors that provide machine builders with exceptional configuration flexibility. The new LMIC (linear motor iron core) series offers a very wide choice of sizes and power ratings, and features a modular track which enables designers to achieve any desired travel stroke length simply by placing sections end-to-end. Available in standard and low profile versions, the motors are capable of delivering extremely high thrust forces, acceleration and speed, and are designed specifically for ease of system integration. Different models offer continuous thrust forces as high as 13,813N peak (5,179N continuous), acceleration rates in excess of 98 metres/second/second, and positioning speeds of more than 8 metres/second.

Baldor’s new LMIC series linear servo motors are ideal for highly dynamic automation applications that demand accurate, backlash-free positioning capabilities, such as pick-and-place machines, parts handlers and semiconductor manufacturing processes. Suitable for use with standard trapezoidal or sinusoidal 3-phase brushless servo drives, the motors are particularly cost-effective when matched with Baldor’s Flex+Drive control. This integrates a powerful single-axis motion controller with a brushless AC servo drive, handles incremental and absolute positioning, and allows pre-programming of up to 256 point-to-point moves.

All LMIC series iron core brushless linear servo motors comprise a magnetic track and a coil assembly supported by a customer-supplied bearing system. Multiple coil assemblies can be placed on the same magnetic track and controlled independently, with overlapping movement trajectories if required. The track uses multi-pole alternating polarity rare-earth permanent magnets, which are securely bonded to a robust cold-rolled steel plate with an electroless nickel finish. For most automation applications, the track is held stationary and the coil assembly is free to move, though the reverse can also be used - with identical performance attributes.

The coil assembly employs a proprietary, advanced technology magnetic structure, which minimises cogging effects without requiring the use of skewed magnets or slots on the magnetic track; this non-skewed magnet placement contributes to the mechanical simplicity of the track modules, enabling designers to align multiple sections very easily. The coil assembly uses high magnetic property laminated steel, which is encapsulated in thermally conductive epoxy resin to maximise mechanical integrity and facilitate efficient removal of heat from the windings, and is fitted with a 3 metre flying lead as standard. Embedded Hall-effect sensors provide feedback to the servo controller for motor phase commutation.

Standard profile LMIC series motors offer a choice of 46 different coil assemblies and 24 standard magnetic track lengths, from 137.2 to 343mm. The installed height between the base of the track and the top of the coil assembly is 54.6mm when used with a recommended bearing system. The coil assemblies are fitted with a ‘T’ slot mounting plate to facilitate quick and easy alignment. The smallest coil assembly is a 35 Watt unit that measures 63.5 x 137.2mm and is capable of producing 80N of continuous thrust force; the largest is rated at 2.2kW, measures 267 x 960.1mm, and can produce a continuous thrust force of up to 5,179N.

The low profile LMIC series are designed primarily for applications where the space between fixed and moving parts is severely limited, using thinner magnetic tracks and coil assemblies to reduce the installed height to just 32.6mm. Again, there is a wide choice of models, with 28 different coil assemblies and 16 standard magnetic track lengths, from 137.2 to 343mm. The smallest coil assembly can generate a continuous thrust force of 36N and measures 63.5 x 153.4mm, while the largest has a continuous thrust force rating of 587N and measures 216 x 565mm.

The non-contact design feature of Baldor’s LMIC series linear servo motors means that they are relatively quiet in operation, extremely reliable and virtually maintenance-free. Supplied in kit form to maximise integration flexibility and help keep manufacturing costs as low as possible, the new motors generate one of the highest thrust forces per unit cost of any linear servo motor on the market. For customers who prefer to use linear stages, Baldor can incorporate these new LMIC motors into a complete ready-to-use motion control stage designed specifically for closed position loop servo applications, which provides a quick and easy means of implementing high accuracy single- and multi-axis motion control systems.

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