Reprint of December 30, 2015 Linear Motion Tips article from Design World

Servo motor sizing is often done with the help of a manufacturer’s sizing program, but it’s important to understand the three most critical factors—speed, torque, and inertia—to ensure you select the best-fit motor for the application.


Selecting the right servo motor for a linear motion system is a complex task, beginning with initial assumptions and component selections, which must be checked through a series of calculations and, in most cases, repeated over several iterations until a suitable combination of motor and mechanics is found.

Most motor manufacturers offer online sizing tools that make the process easier, ensure that the best components are selected, and help preserve the design engineer’s sanity. But as a designer, or even an end user, it’s important to have an understanding of the three critical parameters of servo motor sizing: inertia, speed, and torque.
Click on the link below to view the complete article.

Three critical factors for servo motor sizing