Parameters and forces of a PM linear synchronous motor with magnetic guides for industrial applications: computed and experimental results

A novel type of linear motor characterized by two stators and one ironless cursor, double side ironless motor (DSILM), has been designed. The motor has been designed to drive autonomous complete contactless transportation systems, equipped with a magnetic levitation system. Applications of these systems can be found in ultra clean and maintenance free rooms or where wear and maintenance would cause expensive plant stops, The design have been performed integrating traditional formulae and the 2D and 3D FEM simulations. In particular, the evaluation of the normal force generated by this kind of motor can only be done performing FEM analyses. A test bench with a linear motor prototype as been constructed and an experimental validation of the design results has been performed. The experimental tests have been performed in order to evaluate the model parameters, the field distribution and the propulsion force. In the paper, the design procedure and the comparisons between the design predictions and the experimental results are presented