Motors & Drives Information

A new market study from IMS Research shows that linear motors have not impacted the electromechanical linear motion market to the extent that some suppliers had feared. Linear motors offer many performance benefits over traditional electro-mechanical linear motion systems based on ball screws and belt drives. Not only do they offer higher levels of acceleration and deceleration, but higher combined levels of speed and accuracy can be achieved.

Despite this, very few machine builders use them.

Those that have made the transition to linear motors have usually replaced pneumatic or hydraulic actuators rather than electro-mechanical types.

The research found that the main barrier preventing companies from using linear motors is the higher initial cost when compared with electro-mechanical products.

Whilst prices of linear motors have fallen in recent years, a like for like comparison still favours ball screw and belt drive linear actuators.

IMS Research forecasts that the European market for industrial linear actuators will remain fairly flat this year due to the general slowdown in global economic growth.

However, the longer term outlook for the market is good, with double digit annual growth rates forecast for 2004 and 2005.