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Many industrial machines benefit from integrating several technologies. Consider an inspection machine. The machine might use dual belt-driven actuators connected with a mechanical linkshaft for the X-axis base, for high speed and high throughput — linking the X and X' axes — and maintaining a perpendicular path for the Y axis. This also facilitates the use of electromechanical positioning for multiple points and indexing home at high speeds; it is also more cost effective than linear motors or dual screw-driven units coupled by right-angle gearboxes.

The Y axes might be best controlled by slotless, linear motor-driven stages for high speed and high throughput, and high precision in the Y direction, because linear motors have no belt stretch or backlash. In this case, linear motors wouldn't have the critical speed issues of screw-driven designs.

The Z axis might benefit from a screw-driven product for optical adjustment. A ballscrew plus a motor/brake unit can prevent backdrive (or free fall) in a power outage situation and can make short strokes. Linear motors are rarely used in vertical applications, because there is no easy brake solution for a power outage situation, which could cause free-falling load.

Pneumatic grippers are well suited and easy to install for rotating and moving parts from one Y-axis working envelope to another. And grippers, which only need simple open and close action, are ideal candidates for pneumatic operation. Similarly, rotating axes can benefit from pneumatic rotary actuators, the most cost effective solution for pickup and drop-off rotational positions.