Where a belt-pulley design can reach 3 m/sec, the linear can attain 10 m/sec. Without any backlash or windup, direct-drive linear motors further boost repeatability and accuracy.

One type, linear shaft motors, consists of stationary, cylindrically wound coils and a smooth, nonferrous moving rod; inside the latter is a series of rare earth-iron-boron (NIB) permanent magnets ...