Atonm Magnetic Scale in Linear Motor Applications

Project Background:

Linear motors are commonly used drive mechanisms in our factory. The magnetic scale can be seen as a variant of a rotary motor by unfolding the magnets around it. When the secondary coils are energized they generate a strong magnetic field which interacts with the magnets fixed in the linear motor housing to produce thrust, driving the actuator.

Because linear motors are widely used in many mechanical motion systems, these systems typically require clear position feedback for travel, so a magnetic scale is needed to detect the linear displacement of the moving element.

Project Challenges:

1. Cost effectiveness: The linear motor market is highly commoditized and end prices are low, so component costs must be controlled and the magnetic scale should offer good value.

2. High detection accuracy: The actuator requires high motion accuracy; the magnetic scale must precisely detect linear displacement and report it to the host controller in time.

Solution:

The solution uses Atonm MRR-H500 read head combined with Atonm magnetic strip.

To reduce customer cost and suit the application, the magnetic strip is mounted on the fixed part and the read head on the moving element. When the motor runs, the read head moves with the actuator and the relative position between the read head and magnetic strip changes. As the motor reciprocates the read head outputs pulse signals to the host, which adjusts motion based on the feedback from the magnetic scale read head.