Linear Motion Carriage with Bearings Preloaded by Inclined Iron Core Linear Electric Motor

A fundamentally precise and simple linear motion axis design is presented where the attractive force from the linear motor is used to preload an air-bearing supported carriage that moves on two intersecting perpendicular planes. These two planes represent the most accurate and lowest cost geometry that can be created to guide linear motion. By placing the motor at a desired position and angle with respect to the air bearing pads, desired preload forces can be obtained on the pads. Because the attractive forces are typically 5 times the axial force generated by the motor, the system is inherently well preloaded and stable even in the presence of large externally applied forces that might induce pitch, yaw, or roll.