Linear motor end stops?

[pixpop]

I'm building an X axis using a linear motor. Does anyone have any recommendations for what I should use as an end stop for this thing?

I'm thinking of maybe something soft, or dampening, rather than just banging into a hard metal stop when the servo gets lost.

Neil

[Phife]

Limit Switches are your friend.. having a servo run away can be dangerous and damage your machine, even with a soft stop. I have had a bearing torn out of its bore due to a servo runaway. Use Limit switches to prevent this.

[NEATman]

Neil-
On linear motor systems I have designed, they either used a fancy gas shock absorber:
http://www.acecontrols.co.uk/hdfc.asp
or a much more affordable (and cleaner) Tubus elastomer bumper:
http://www.acecontrols.co.uk/tubus.asp
Just follow thier selection program to help choose the proper size.


Phife-
Linear motors only have linear bearings, and with power off, can "backdrive" easily due to the lack of ball or leadscrews.

Regards,
Keith