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New linear motor designs improve speed, positioning

Linear motors enable maximum precision and dynamic performance in various motion control tasks. These include not only rapid traverse, but slow, constant speed for machine heads, spindle slides, tool management systems, part handling devices, and more. There are considerable cost savings to be realized when various mechanical components are replaced by simple and efficient linear motors. These motors provide a total drive system, offering reliability, precision, high dynamic stability, low maintenance, and improved production time.

But what is a linear motor?

The rotary electric motors that we are so familiar with contain a circular electromagnet called a stator. In a linear motor, the electromagnet is built the same way, only flat as if it were unrolled. The rotor is also built the same way, unrolled (or flat). When the electromagnets of the primary are energized, they attract the secondary sections and push the motor along. The more current applied, the stronger the magnetic field and the more force the motor generates.

Visualize an old-time wooden roller coaster at your favorite amusement park. To get the train up the first hill for that "big drop," we roll to the base of the hill where a chain drive, driven by an electric motor, gearbox, and sprocket, clanks and jerks the train to the top of the hill.

Now, imagine a ride in a modern roller coaster with linear motors. Feel that sudden burst of acceleration as you leave the station? Enough force can be generated to propel the train over the first hill and through that first scary loop. Booster "shots" of force can be used at various points to maintain the train's speed as it rolls through loops and turns never before possible with older designs. Finally, you feel the braking action at the station by … you guessed it, a linear motor. What stopped the wooden roller coaster? Remember the guy at the station pulling a big lever?

Siemens 1FN3 motors are linear drives with a compact design featuring superior performance/force density.

 

 

Linear motors are simple. Two main components, the primary containing electromagnets and the secondary with either permanent magnets or magnet-free, drive the moving member. Gone are servo motors, resolvers, tachometers, couplings, pulleys, timing belts, ball screws and nuts, support bearings, lubrication systems, and cooling systems. Gone also are systems that use hollow ball screws with coolant systems for thermal stabilization. Gone are rack-and-pinion systems that used expensive torque motors and/or gear boxes. Gone also are chain drive systems requiring high-torque hydraulic motors with associated power units. So other than eliminating expensive components, what do we gain?

The chief advantages of linear motors in machine applications include:

• Outstanding dynamic response;
• High acceleration/deceleration;
• High traverse velocity over long distances at constant speeds;
• Backlash-free positioning -- no longer any need for "ballscrew compensation";
• Easy installation with a minimum number of components;
• Contactless drive with no mechanical wear; and
• Design flexibility -- primary sections can be stationary or moving.

With the introduction of its 1FN6 Linear Motors, Siemens now offers three models of Linear Motors for seamless integration with all Sinumerik or Simotion control systems using Sinamics drives. Linear scales for position and velocity feedback are available from a variety of third-party suppliers to suit the application. The new linear motor models offered by Siemens are:

• 1FN3 Peak Load Motors: Short time, high acceleration/deceleration and velocity rates comparable to S3 duty. Can be used for horizontal or compensated vertical axes. Nominal Force (Fn) 8,100 N. Maximum Force (Fmax) 20,700 N. Maximum velocity 253 m/min. with liquid cooling.
• 1FN3 Continuous Load Motors: Long power-on duration for horizontal, inclined, or compensated vertical axes. Comparable to S1 duty. Nominal Force (Fn) 10,375 N. Maximum Force (Fmax) 17,610 N. Maximum velocity; 129 m/min. with liquid cooling.
• 1FN6 Magnet Free Secondary: Ideal for long traverse lengths at high acceleration and velocity rates. Magnet-free secondary and air convection cooled design. Can be used for horizontal, inclined, or compensated vertical axes. Nominal Force (Fn) 2,110 N. Maximum Force (Fmax) 8,080 N. Maximum velocity 532 m/min. with air convection cooling.

Note: 1FN3 Peak and Continuous load motors can be run with air convection cooling, however ratings must be reduced by 50%.

One linear motor stationary track (either with magnets or magnet-free) can support multiple primary sections moving either the same slide in a master-slave configuration or moving separate slides independently at different rates and in different directions. This allows the designer to consolidate drive systems on multiple slide machines for cost efficiency and better productivity. For example, a laser, waterjet, or router machine with two heads on the gantry run by linear motors can simultaneously cut two parts, symmetrical or mirror image, thus saving considerable raw material.

With the 1FN6 series, Siemens offers natural and water-cooled synchronous linear motors that stand out due to their magnet-free secondary section.

 

 

When moving large, heavy gantry-style slides, multiple primary sections can be used on either side of the moving gantry to provide the force necessary to accelerate and decelerate the slide to optimally productive velocities. In addition, multiple secondary tracks can be installed side by side, if additional force is needed.

On moving slides where cable length or movement is a problem, one or more primary sections can be fixed to a stationary base and the secondary sections attached to the moving member. This lightens the load on the moving slide and allows cycles that include high oscillation rates that might otherwise be impossible with conventional mechanical drive systems. It also allows shorter cable lengths with less flexing.

Linear motors have not been part of the progression of modern machine design that has seen quantum leaps in control technology. Rather, modern machines still, for the most part, use slide propulsion that was designed in your grandfather's day. We have gone from tape-driven NC machines driven by DC servo motors and ballscrews to sophisticated CNC controls that can take a CAD file and produce a machine program at the touch of a button, right on the machine. To drive the slides on this modern machine, we have progressed to AC servo motors driving ball screws. And maybe we also updated the slides from box way to truck and rail, but how are we driving these slides? Servo motors and ball screws. Linear motors are proven, available, and economical. As more linear motors are produced, they will become even more economical.

In short, it is time for the mechanical systems of these machines to catch up to the control technology. Linear motors should be a part of that process.

To help the engineer in the design and application process, Siemens has developed a number of tools to help take a slide design application and configure the right size motor to it. Once this process is complete, it is a simple matter to integrate the motor(s) into a complete Siemens system that includes controls, motors, operator stations, and even complete panels and cabinets.

Learn more about Siemens SIMOTIC L Linear motors here.

Published September 2017

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