Tubular linear motors are ‘first’ with integrated controls

Published: 08 April, 2013

Dunkermotoren has developed what it claims is the first tubular linear motor with an integrated amplifier and controller, thus reducing and simplifying wiring. The efficient, low-maintenance ST11 motors are said to be faster than stepper motors with ballscrews and more precise than belt-drive systems.

The integrated motors can replace pneumatic actuators in all-electric machines and, unlike pneumatics, offer infinitely variable control with a wide range of move profiles, accelerations and speeds. The motor and controller have a combined IP67 protection rating. The controller can optionally be located away from the motor.

The motors can deliver velocities up to 5ms and accelerations up to 422m/s², with a maximum stroke length of 271mm and a peak force of 92N. Continuous stall forces of 27N are achievable. Built-in feedback eliminates the need for costly external encoders and offers an absolute accuracy of ±350µm with repeatability of ±12µm.

The integrated linear motors offer various analogue and digital I/O, with CAN, Profibus and EtherCat protocols available as standard. Once programmed using Dunkermotoren’s Drive Assistant software, the motors operate independently, needing only a power connection.

Dunkermotoren was acquired last year by Ametek.