Magnetically Levitated Planar Actuator With Moving Magnets

This paper concerns the design, optimization, and commutation of a six-degree-of-freedom planar actuator with an active magnetic bearing. The planar motor has a stationary coil array and a translator with a Halbach magnet array. During movements in the plane, the set of energized coils changes with the position of the translator. In this paper, a method for the electromagnetic design of this type of actuator is discussed, and several topologies are compared. The best performing topology in terms of power dissipation and force and torque ripples has been manufactured and successfully tested.