What is happening with the pricing of linear motors, which have historically been more costly than rotary motors?
Traditionally, any new technology is more expensive than the status quo. And it is true that historically the price of linear motors has been more expensive than a rotary motor with equivalent horsepower. But just as with computers, the price of linear motors has been dropping–by about 30% to 40% per year. In fact, in some applications, such as when you’re using a high- precision ball screw, the price of a linear motor is equivalent to a rotary motor–and you eliminate the backlash! One reason we have been able to drop the price, of course, is greater volumes. Anorad alone has sold more than 30,000 linear motors. But even more significantly, we’re learning to be better at what we do. With each product introduction, we’re learning how to design the product better and manufacture it more efficiently. One of the latest developments our company has come up with is the moving magnet technology, which resulted in yet another cost reduction. Q: What new developments in linear motors can we e
