4 ms·

A linear motor is essentially a stepper motor that has been unrolled. The Stator and rotor are flat. Kern uses them in really high end VMCs and the result is be

A linear motor is essentially a stepper motor that has been unrolled. The Stator and rotor are flat. Kern uses them in really high end VMCs and the result is better position control and better rigidity.

dekhn 5y ago
do you have a pointer to a reasonably accessible device I can buy? I work with CNC and 3D printers and other motion stuff a lot and always want to find better products than the cheap steppers I'm using.
- jbay808 5y ago
  What is your budget?
  - dekhn 5y ago
    I'd like to build this: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PT3-Z8 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PT3-Z8 but for about $500 or less. I don't think those Z8s are linear motors, though. They mean "linear translation", but using DC servos. It doesn't need to be nearly as precise,
- toss1 5y ago
  Here you go: https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/products/motors/direct-drive/direct-drive-linear/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us-direct-drive-linear-broad&msclkid=43d5349c12fb197ccd6955826f74ad6f https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/products/motors/direct-driv... and their page on success in CNC seems fairly impressive. https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/service-and-support/knowledge-center/success-stories/3d-cutting-for-large-formats/ https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/service-and-support/knowled... Edit: I'm not sure how accessible these are, but they have a life sales rep chat, so they seem to want to get them to you quickly...
  - dekhn 5y ago
    Generally, if a product requires talking to a sales rep, it's not marketed towards my interests (hobbyist automated microscopy and astronomy), and the product will be too expensive.
    - toss1 5y ago
      Ah yes, at that level, you've probably found lots of reasonable linear actuators - rotary motors paired with a screw drive - but I don't recall seeing any low-cost ones either. Maybe eBay is the best bet, but it's hit or miss. It does seem there would be a market for some low-cost options.
  - Ductapemaster 5y ago
    I used to work at Kollmorgen — they really are top-notch for this kind of work, but there is a relatively large used market available on eBay. No need to buy direct from them, unless you want brand new stuff at a markup. My uncle uses Kollmorgen drives and servos on his homemade CNC, all sourced from second-hand machines and people, so it's totally possible to do!
- abakker 5y ago
  I recommend that you use Clearpath servos. It is a step up in budget, but the motion is much smoother and there is no vibrations which are somewhat inherent in steppers. Linear motors are great, but are overkill unless you are concerned with the lost motion inherent in any screw, r&p, or belt. servos and double nut ball screws are adequate for almost everyone (including Mazak, DMG, HAAS, etc).

dekhn 5y ago

do you have a pointer to a reasonably accessible device I can buy? I work with CNC and 3D printers and other motion stuff a lot and always want to find better products than the cheap steppers I'm using.

jbay808 5y ago
What is your budget?
- dekhn 5y ago
  I'd like to build this: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PT3-Z8 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PT3-Z8 but for about $500 or less. I don't think those Z8s are linear motors, though. They mean "linear translation", but using DC servos. It doesn't need to be nearly as precise,
toss1 5y ago
Here you go: https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/products/motors/direct-drive/direct-drive-linear/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us-direct-drive-linear-broad&msclkid=43d5349c12fb197ccd6955826f74ad6f https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/products/motors/direct-driv... and their page on success in CNC seems fairly impressive. https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/service-and-support/knowledge-center/success-stories/3d-cutting-for-large-formats/ https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/service-and-support/knowled... Edit: I'm not sure how accessible these are, but they have a life sales rep chat, so they seem to want to get them to you quickly...
- dekhn 5y ago
  Generally, if a product requires talking to a sales rep, it's not marketed towards my interests (hobbyist automated microscopy and astronomy), and the product will be too expensive.
  - toss1 5y ago
    Ah yes, at that level, you've probably found lots of reasonable linear actuators - rotary motors paired with a screw drive - but I don't recall seeing any low-cost ones either. Maybe eBay is the best bet, but it's hit or miss. It does seem there would be a market for some low-cost options.
- Ductapemaster 5y ago
  I used to work at Kollmorgen — they really are top-notch for this kind of work, but there is a relatively large used market available on eBay. No need to buy direct from them, unless you want brand new stuff at a markup. My uncle uses Kollmorgen drives and servos on his homemade CNC, all sourced from second-hand machines and people, so it's totally possible to do!
abakker 5y ago
I recommend that you use Clearpath servos. It is a step up in budget, but the motion is much smoother and there is no vibrations which are somewhat inherent in steppers. Linear motors are great, but are overkill unless you are concerned with the lost motion inherent in any screw, r&p, or belt. servos and double nut ball screws are adequate for almost everyone (including Mazak, DMG, HAAS, etc).