| A linear induction motor is made up of an inductor | | | | improving constantly and with improved control, |
| which is made of individual cores with a concentrated | | | | lower life cycle cost, reduced maintenance and higher |
| polyphase. Linear motors can be directly substituted | | | | performance they are becoming the choice of the |
| for ball screw drives, hydraulic drives, pneumatic | | | | experts. Linear motors are simple to control and easy |
| drives, or cam drives. | | | | to use. They have a fast response and high |
| A linear induction motor is basically what is referred | | | | acceleration. Their speed is not dependant on contact |
| to by experts as a "rotating squirrel cage" induction | | | | friction so it is easier to pick up speed quickly. |
| motor. The difference is that the motor is opened | | | | Stepper motors are a special kind of motor that |
| out flat. Instead of producing rotary torque from a | | | | moves in discrete steps. When one set of windings is |
| cylindrical machine it produces linear force from a flat | | | | energized the motor moves a step in one direction |
| machine. The shape and the way it produces motion | | | | and when another set of windings is energized the |
| is changed, however it is still the same as its | | | | motor moves a step in the other direction. The |
| cylindrical counterpart. There are no moving parts, | | | | advantage of stepper motors that the position of |
| however and most experts don't like that. It does | | | | the motor is "known". Zero position can be |
| have a silent operation and reduced maintenance as | | | | determined, if the original position is known. |
| well as a compact size, which appeals many | | | | Stepping motors come in a wide range of angular |
| engineers. There is also a universal agreement that it | | | | resolution and the coarsest motors typically turn 90 |
| has an ease of control and installation. These are all | | | | degrees per step. High resolution permanent magnet |
| important considerations when thinking about what | | | | motors are only able to handle about 18 degrees less |
| type of device you want to create. The linear | | | | than that. With the right controller stepper motors |
| induction motor thrusts ratio varies depending mainly | | | | can be run in half-steps, which is amazing. |
| on the size and rating. Speeds of the linear induction | | | | The main complaint about the stepper motor is that |
| motor vary from zero to many meters per second. | | | | it usually draws more power than a standard DC |
| Speed can be controlled. Stopping, starting and | | | | motor and maneuvering is also difficult. |
| reversing are all easy. Linear induction motors are | | | | |