Renishaw’s optical encoders selected for ‘unique’ linear motor

Constant velocity control is essential for many advanced industrial processes, but traditional motor designs give rise to cogging forces which generate ripples in the motor velocity. Kovery has designed a series of advanced linear motors, with integrated Renishaw encoders, that solve this problem.

Linear motors are widely used in major industrial fields including flat panel display (FPD), semiconductors, automation, medical diagnostics, 3D printing and machine tools. A linear motor is equivalent to a rotary synchronous motor with a ‘rolled-out’ stator and rotor. Instead of producing a torque for rotation, it produces a thrust force along its length.

Kovery is an ultra-precision motor manufacturer based in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Dedicated to continuous R&D, Kovery is a leading supplier of advanced high-precision linear motor systems. Its precision motors use patented technology to eliminate or minimise cogging forces that cause velocity ripple and increased bearing wear due to attraction between the stator and the mover parts of the linear motor.

Renishaw’s QUANTiC series of incremental encoders are employed in Kovery linear motors for commutation and position control. Kovery also uses other Renishaw metrology products including the EVOLUTE absolute optical encoder and the XL-80 laser system for machine calibration. The encoders are critical components that give reliable position feedback in challenging environments.

Most linear motors are ‘flat linear motors’ that feature a permanent magnet track under a series of electromagnetic coils (forcer). Precise control of the forcer is required to enable demanding motion control applications in fields such as semiconductor and FPD manufacture.

Constant velocity control is essential for many advanced industrial processes, but traditional motor designs give rise to cogging forces which generate ripples in the motor velocity. One option for designers is to use a slotless (ironless) flat motor that provides excellent control at the expense of higher thrust outputs. Kovery has developed a unique range of motors that minimise cogging forces without sacrificing thrust.

Kovery president, Kim Houng-joong, introduces the company’s patented technology, stating, “The linear motors on the market come in various forms. Each design has its benefits but there are always trade-offs. The unique linear motors developed by our company are the first to arrange the permanent magnets in the vertical plane, so that they pass between the pole pieces of the forcer coils.

“This ensures uniform magnetic flux and an independent magnetic circuit for each magnet track. Our design allows the motor strength to be increased, simply by increasing the number of tracks. The design effectively reduces the normal attractive force between the slotted iron cores and the magnet tracks without sacrificing thrust. In other words, the overall thrust of the motor is increased, and the maximum is at least twice that of a conventional linear motor. Other advantages include reduced weight, increased design freedom, simple assembly and a low cost of ownership.”

Position encoders enable commutation of linear motors to provide smooth motion and position control. Encoders with lower jitter and interpolation error are preferred as they allow more accurate position control and lower velocity ripple. Encoders for linear motors need two critical design features to work well – a readhead (sensor) cable with a small minimum bend radius and long cable-life to allow for crimping, kinking, and bending on the machine cable track; and a high maximum operating temperature to withstand the expected heat outputs from the motor coils when power is applied. If the readhead is installed close to the magnetic coils, the encoder must also be able to withstand strong magnetic fields.

Kovery uses a range of Renishaw optical encoders for its linear motors, including the advanced QUANTiC optical encoder. In semiconductor and FPD process equipment applications, Kovery linear motors are equipped with QUANTiC series encoders featuring 0.2 µm resolution, RTLC40 incremental scale and analogue or digital signal output. Motors for other applications employ Renishaw’s EVOLUTE absolute optical encoder with RTLA50-S linear scale.

Houng-joong continues: “Kovery’s linear motors offer a range of specifications, and there are more than a dozen different stroke lengths alone. Sometimes, it is necessary to provide customized products with strokes up to several metres. We also expect that market demand for longer-stroke linear motors will increase. The QUANTiC encoder’s RTLC40 steel tape scale is supplied on a convenient reel, which allows us to cut the exact length required for each motor, improving our operation flexibility. In addition, the short delivery lead times and excellent cost performance are all factors. Renishaw's encoders have improved the competitiveness of our products.”