Linear Motion

Linear Motors

Ironless, iron-core and water-cooled high-efficiency linear motors with high-performance short stroke Z-axis actuators

Eliminating all intermediate elements in the drive chain, converting electrical energy directly into linear motion
Maintenance-free, zero backlash, high dynamics for semiconductor, machine tool, medical and automation industries

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30.4 m/s

Ultra-light forcer

L1A System Height 31 mm

Compact Design · UPLplus Thickness 21 mm

L7 Peak Force 24,313 N

Water-Cooled High-Efficiency · Power Loss −50%

1,000 m/s²

Z-Axis Acceleration

Ironless Linear Motors

UPLplus

Ironless Linear Motors — Printed Circuit Technology

Following the trend toward lightweight design in automation, Schaeffler has developed the new ironless UPLplus linear motor series. Compared to similar drives, the force-to-mass ratio is up to 42% higher, enabling smaller motor components or reduced moving mass. This increases throughput or reduces costs.

Advantages

Highly dynamic positioning operations
Miniaturization and space-saving applications
Low moving mass
Short cycle times

Specifications

Sizes: 30 mm 60 mm 80 mm

Primary part lengths: up to 5 variants
Peak force: 100 – 1,300 N
Rated force: 30 – 300 N

Applications

Automation technology
Measuring and inspection machines
Medical engineering
Air bearing axes
Pick & Place
Semiconductor placement
Z-axis drives

Technical Documents

UPLplus Overview → UPLplus-30-L Specs → UPLplus-60-L Specs → UPLplus-80-L Specs → Type Designation →

Iron-Core Linear Motors

L1

Iron-Core Linear Motors — Slotted, Permanent Magnet Excited

The L1 series are three-phase slotted permanent magnet excited AC synchronous linear motors optimized for ultimate efficiency. They deliver maximum force at rated speed within the available installation space while maintaining low power dissipation, with low acceleration mass and compact dimensions.

Three Sub-Series

L1A — Installation height 31 mm, compact design, excellent force-to-mass ratio

L1B — Installation height 39 mm, optimized thermal performance, higher continuous force at same heat

L1C — Installation height 53.5–66.5 mm, highest continuous force, optional cooling plate and thermal insulation

Advantages

High acceleration and deceleration
Speed beyond conventional motors
High static and dynamic load stiffness
Precise positioning without overshoot
Excellent constant velocity behavior
Compact design
Maintenance-free, zero backlash
Optional active cooling

Applications

Feed systems, laser / waterjet cutting
Semiconductor handling (PCB, wafer positioning, AOI)
Packaging and food processing
Machine tools and assembly technology
Production line placement systems

Technical Documents

L1 Series Overview → Technical Principles → L1A Flat Series → L1B High-Force Series → L1C Water-Cooled Series → Type Designation →

High-Efficiency Iron-Core Linear Motors (Water-Cooled)

L7

High-Efficiency Iron-Core Linear Motors — Water-Cooled, Up to 24,300 N

The L7 series is a new generation of water-cooled iron-core linear motors, expanding the peak force range from L1's 5,171 N up to 24,300 N. Through a compact cooling system and optimised coil design, it achieves up to 50% lower power loss at the same thrust, or 40% higher rated thrust at the same power loss. Engineered for machine tools and handling systems.

Four Sub-Series

Width 100 mm — Peak force 4,052 ~ 8,104 N

Width 150 mm — Peak force 6,078 ~ 12,157 N

Width 200 mm — Peak force 8,104 ~ 16,209 N

Width 300 mm — Peak force 12,157 ~ 24,313 N

Product Features

Water-cooled high-efficiency linear motor
4 widths × 3 lengths = 12 model sizes
Dielectric strength up to 800 V
Optional secondary part encapsulation, cooling system and protective cover
Primary part certified to IP65
Compliant with Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC

Applications

Milling, turning
Laser machining
Surface, profile and centerless grinding
Non-circular machining, oscillation machining
HSC axes
PCB drilling machines

Technical Documents

L7 Series Overview → Technical Principles → Width 100 Series Specs → Width 150 Series Specs → Width 200 Series Specs → Width 300 Series Specs → Type Designation & Glossary →

Quick Comparison

Series Comparison

	UPLplus (Ironless)	L1 (Iron-Core)	L7 (High-Efficiency Water-Cooled Iron-Core)
Technology	Printed circuit coil (PCB coil), ironless	Slotted permanent magnet excited AC synchronous motor	Water-cooled slotted permanent-magnet AC synchronous motor
Peak Force F_p	100 – 1,300 N	169 – 5,171 N	4,052 – 24,313 N
Continuous Force F_c	25 – 221 N (uncooled) 38 – 311 N (cooled)	37 – 1,066 N (uncooled) 249 – 2,452 N (L1C water-cooled)	661 – 3,437 N (no cooling) 1,813 – 11,229 N (water-cooled F_cw)
Motor Constant k_m	4.2 – 16.7 N/√W	9.2 – 80.5 N/√W	66.1 – 181.5 N/√W
Max. Velocity v_max	3.5 – 30.4 m/s	0.9 – 27.3 m/s	0.56 – 4.53 m/s (depends on winding & DC link voltage)
Electrical Time Constant τ_el	0.27 – 0.31 ms	2.75 – 11.36 ms	— (not listed in datasheet)
Cogging / Ripple Force	None (ironless design)	6 – 36 N	F_cog 8.10 – 48.63 N
Primary Part Mass	64 – 552 g	0.5 – 4.5 kg	ca. 14 – 72 kg
Max. DC Bus Voltage	330 V (30 series) / 600 V (60/80 series)	600 V	800 V
Max. Winding Temperature	140°C	100°C	110°C (JPTC switch-off threshold)
Size Options	3 widths (30/60/80 mm), up to 5 lengths	L1A (31 mm) / L1B (39 mm) / L1C (53.5–66.5 mm)	4 widths (100/150/200/300 mm) × 3 lengths (350/500/650 mm) = 12 models
Cooling	Natural convection	Natural (L1A/L1B) / Optional active cooling (L1C)	Standard water cooling on primary part / secondary part cooling optional
Protection Class	—	—	Primary part IP65; secondary part optional encapsulation
Key Advantage	42% higher force-to-mass ratio, miniaturization	Ultimate efficiency, maximum force in limited space	Same power loss → +40% thrust / Same thrust → −50% power loss; meets Ecodesign 2009/125/EC
Applications	Automation, measuring/inspection, medical, Pick & Place, semiconductor	Feed systems, laser/waterjet cutting, semiconductor, packaging, machine tools	Milling, turning, laser machining, grinding, HSC axes, oscillation machining, PCB drilling

Positioning Systems

Z-Axis Modules

Short Stroke Actuators for Pick & Place Applications

Only the right drive solution makes motion cycles perfect. Especially in electronic component production, high-precision, fast repetitive operations require professional solutions. Schaeffler Industrial Drives offers Z-axis systems (short stroke actuators) for fast Pick & Place applications, optical inspection, test handlers and more, to increase machine productivity.

LDDS-078 — Voice Coil Z-Axis

Compact and Powerful

Features

Compact short stroke axis
High force density, very low power dissipation
Low moving mass
Integrated measuring system

Advantages

Small installation space, low heat generation
Highest reliability, over 1 billion cycles
Precise positioning, maintenance-free

Applications

Test & sorting handlers, indexers, medical engineering

LDDS-078 · LDDS-081 Technical Data →

LDDS-032 — Slotted Linear Motor Z-Axis

Dynamic and Durable

Features

High force density
Attraction force compensation for extended guide life
No moving cables
Built-in 2x L1B-3P-100x50

Advantages

Small installation space
Very long service life
Low wiring effort, simple control

Applications

Pick & Place, high-speed cycling

LDDS-032-C Technical Data →

LRAM — Hybrid Stepper Motor Z-Axis

Wear-free and Precise

Features

Air bearing short stroke linear axis
Moving ceramic plate for lateral guidance
Magnetoresistive measuring system
No cooling required

Advantages

Acceleration up to 1,000 m/s²
Wear-free air bearings
Moving mass only 10 g

Applications

Probe testing, lightweight part handling, Pick & Place

LRAM Technical Data →

System Data Comparison

Z-Axis Module Comparison

Parameter	LDDS-078	LDDS-081	LDDS-032-C	LRAM
Motor Type	Single-phase voice coil		2x L1B slotted linear motor	2-phase hybrid stepper motor
Guidance	Precision roller bearings		Linear guideway	Air bearings (frictionless)
Dimensions W×L×H	31.1 × 53.7 × 102.8 mm	31.1 × 53.7 × 110.8 mm	166 × 163 × 120 mm	50 × 32.6 × 89 mm
Total Mass	776 g	825 g	10.5 kg	280 g
Moving Mass	77 g	88 g	1.4 kg	10 g
Max. Payload	—	—	3.5 kg	—
Max. Stroke	5 mm	10 mm	±5.5 mm (limit) ±8.7 mm (hard stop)	±10 mm
Max. Velocity	2 m/s	2 m/s	0.6 m/s (with payload) 1.1 m/s (no payload)	1.5 m/s
Max. Acceleration	300 m/s²	300 m/s²	80 m/s² (with payload) 300 m/s² (no payload)	1,000 m/s²
Peak Force	48 N	48 N	640 N	14 N
Continuous Force	24 N	23 N	222 N	10 N
Weight Compensation	1.5 N	0.4 N (if provided)	—	—
Typical Applications	Turret handlers, test & sorting handlers, indexers		Central Z-axis, Pick & Place	Probe testing, lightweight part handling