Linear motor sizing made easy

For machine designers who need to quickly test alternative designs in depth, without having to perform lots of manual calculations, Wokingham-based machine automation specialists Quin Systems is now offering a free linear motor sizing software package. Linmot Designer 1.1, developed by Swiss company Linmot, runs on all Windows platforms and allows design engineers to quickly select the most suitable size of linear motor and servo controller for the application. The software accurately simulates the action of Linmot linear motors under static and dynamic loading. Designers can input as many moves as the total stroke of the motor allows, set up limits and interactively view outputs as force-time, force-stroke, position-time, velocity-time or acceleration-time plots. Armed with this data, machine designers can optimise their application by changing the masses of moving and static components, as well as selecting various motor and drive combinations. The package also includes a calculation of continuous force required (RMS force), enabling heat sinks and cooling fans to be added as appropriate. Robin Maidment, sales manager for Quin Systems, commented: “Slim cylindrical design and simple construction can provide elegant engineering solutions for a number of applications, offering enhanced dynamics and control over traditional pneumatic systems, such as pick-and-place mechanisms. To make the most of their power and force densities, it is essential to use modern design approaches for the machine and correct design of the drive.” DP