EXPANSION OF LINEAR MOTOR RANGE
22 October 2003 - GE Fanuc Automation CNC Europe SA

GE Fanuc Automation has expanded its line of linear motors to offer a wide range of peak forces and a wider choice of physical sizes. Properties such as rapid acceleration, high speed, minimal wear and high levels of accuracy make linear motors ideal for a wide range of high productivity machine tools and other specialised machinery. All GE Fanuc models are available for 200V AC and 400V AC input and have been designed to function directly with various measurement systems.

The GE Fanuc Lis Series of Linear Servo Motors includes a wide choice of models offering maximum forces from 300N up to 17,000N. The motors are now available with widths from 75mm to 360mm, and lengths from 80mm to 900mm. There are two types – a long, slim model, and a compact version which is up to one third shorter in its overall axial length. The linear motors are designed to be used as fully integrated drive systems in conjunction with GE Fanuc αi Series servo amplifiers with HRV control and GE Fanuc i Series CNCs. They can attain maximum accelerations of up to 340m/s² and maximum speeds of up to 4m/s, depending on the model. When high continuous forces are needed, these can be accommodated by the use of air or water cooling.

By developing the linear motors in cooperation with a large number of metrology manufacturers, three types of high speed and high resolution detection systems are available. Depending on the application requirements, the choice includes an incremental system, which offers 0.01ìm resolution at maximum speeds of 4m/s, an absolute system, which offers resolutions to 0.05ìm at up to 2m/s, while a distance coded scale is available for very large strokes up to 30m.

Working without the need for additional mechanisms for force transmission purposes, machine design and maintenance are simplified. The shorter version is ideal for short, fast stroking mechanisms, making them ideal for compact, high-output automatic lathes, machining centres, grinding machines, presses and broaching machines. Long distances are easy to cover with linear motors by joining together several magnet plates. This spreads the energy over the entire travel range while increasing the feed force. By not using ballscrews, this helps to avoid resonance at critical speeds, poor rigidity and problems caused by excessive clearance. Two axes may also be moved independently of each other on a single magnetic track, enabling further applications.

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