In short:Ironless and iron-core linear motors, magnet-free linear modules, voice coils and linear motor drives from other makers can meet the force, stroke and speed of many LinMot axes, but they are usually a different construction from a tubular motor, so mounting, guidance, cooling and control need checking.
What LinMot makes
LinMot is the linear motor brand of NTI AG, based in Spreitenbach, Switzerland, with a US subsidiary, LinMot USA Inc. LinMot and MagSpring are trademarks of their owner.
The company is known for tubular linear motors, in which a magnet-filled slider moves through a cylindrical stator. The range includes the P01 series (P01-23, P01-37 and P01-48), the P02 and the larger P10-54 and P10-70, plus stainless and ATEX variants. Beside these sit PR01 and PR02 linear-rotary motors, MagSpring passive weight compensators, linear modules and guides, electric grippers and the C1100, C1200, E1200 and E1400 servo drives. LinMot motors are common in packaging, assembly, pick-and-place, test machines and pneumatic cylinder replacement.
Why engineers look for a LinMot alternative
- Lead time on a particular stator size, slider length or drive variant.
- Second source for a machine built in volume.
- Budget, particularly for long strokes or multi-axis machines.
- Different construction. Some axes are better served by a flat or U-channel motor on a precision stage, or by a linear module with an integrated guide.
- Different control platform, where the machine standardises on one drive brand.
What makes a linear motor alternative genuinely equivalent
- Force. Continuous and peak force at your duty cycle and temperature, not only the peak figure.
- Stroke and moving mass. Including the slider or forcer and any tooling.
- Speed and acceleration. And the settling time at the end of each move.
- Guidance. A tubular slider is often guided by the stator and external bearings; a flat or U-channel motor needs a separate rail.
- Attraction force. Iron-core motors pull strongly towards the magnet track, which loads the bearings; ironless motors do not.
- Feedback and accuracy. Built-in position sensing or an external linear encoder, and the repeatability you need.
- Vertical axes. A brake or a counterbalance for power-off safety.
- Environment. IP rating, washdown and temperature.
- Drive and network. Supply, current, fieldbus and safety.
Our guides to selecting a linear motor and selecting a voice coil or piezo motor cover the force and thermal checks.
Linear motor alternatives in our supply network
Linear modules. The MMF4 / MMD magnet-free track modules put the magnets in the moving forcer over a passive steel track, giving long travel at low cost, with up to 456 N continuous and 3 m stroke.
Linear motors. The Akribis AUM U-channel ironless motor has zero cogging up to nearly 2 kN continuous; the AWM ironless motor is vacuum-compatible; and the narrow AQM iron-core motor suits long, space-limited axes.
Short strokes. For strokes up to 40 mm, the Akribis AVM voice coil offers zero cogging and backlash in 12 to 90 mm frames, often a good fit for force control and fast pick-and-place.
Drives. The Kinco DD2S linear motor drives run linear and direct-drive motors on 220 VAC with pulse or EtherCAT control, and the Leadshine EL8 drives support dual-encoder full closed-loop control.
See the linear actuators hub for other options, including screw-driven actuators where a linear motor is not essential.
How the comparison is made
The table under this text compares each LinMot series we hold data for with the closest product from our supply network, on published figures only. “Equivalent” means a product that meets the stated specification for your application, confirmed by an engineer; for tubular motors, that is usually a different construction, not a drop-in part. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by LinMot or NTI AG, and no logos are used. Names identify products only.
If a tubular LinMot motor is the best fit for your axis, we will say so.
LinMot series and the closest match from our supply network
Each row compares the highest published figures for the series. A match here is a starting point: an engineer confirms the fit for your load, duty, mounting and interface before recommending anything.
| LinMot series | Type | Closest match |
|---|---|---|
| MagSpring M01 | Linear motors | Akribis Systems AQM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| P01-23 (incl. P01-23 HP) | Tubular linear motor | MMF4 / MMD Magnet-free Track Linear Motor Modules meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| P01-37 (incl. P01-37 S and HP) | Tubular linear motor | MMF4 / MMD Magnet-free Track Linear Motor Modules meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| P01-48 (incl. P01-48 HP) | Tubular linear motor | Akribis Systems AQM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 4 figures compared |
| P02-23 S (P02-23Sx80F-HP) | Tubular linear motor | MMF4 / MMD Magnet-free Track Linear Motor Modules meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| P10-54 | Tubular linear motor | MMF4 / MMD Magnet-free Track Linear Motor Modules meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| P10-70 | Tubular linear motor | Akribis Systems AUM meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| PR01 linear-rotary motors | Linear-rotary motor | Akribis Systems AQM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 4 figures compared |
| PR02 linear-rotary motors | Linear-rotary motor | Akribis Systems AQM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 4 figures compared |
| C1100 (C1100-GP / C1150) | Linear motor drive | Kinco DD2S Series Linear Motor Drivers Same product type |
| C1200 (C1250 / C1250-MI / C1251) | Linear motor drive | Kinco DD2S Series Linear Motor Drivers meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds the figure compared |
| E1200 (E1200-GP / E12xx) | Linear motor drive | Leadshine EL8 Series AC Servo Drives (EL8-EC / EL8-RS) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| E1400 (E1400-GP / E1430 / E1450) | Linear motor drive | Kinco DD2S Series Linear Motor Drivers Same product type |
Specify Motion is not affiliated with NTI AG. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a tubular linear motor equivalent to a LinMot P01?
Tubular linear motors are a fairly specialised format, and our supply network does not currently list one. The usual alternatives are U-channel ironless or flat iron-core linear motors on a separate guide, or a magnet-free linear module, which can meet the same force, stroke and speed with a different mechanical layout. For very short strokes, a voice coil may suit. An engineer can confirm which fits.
What about LinMot PR01 linear-rotary motors?
A linear-rotary motor combines a linear and a rotary axis in one unit, which is useful for pick-and-place, capping and screw-driving. We do not hold a one-piece equivalent. The alternative is to build the motion from a linear axis plus a small rotary servo, which adds mass on the moving axis and must be checked for speed and settling.
Can I run a LinMot motor on a different drive?
Treat this cautiously. LinMot motors are designed to run with LinMot drives, which handle their position sensing and commutation. Another drive would need to support the motor's feedback and parameters. In most cases the motor and drive are changed together, so the alternative is a matched motor, drive and feedback package.
What should I send to get a LinMot equivalent proposed?
Send the motor and drive part numbers, the moving mass, stroke, speed, acceleration and cycle rate, any force-control or press-fit duty, the orientation (vertical axes need a brake or a counterbalance such as a MagSpring), the controller and fieldbus, the space available and the environment, including any washdown or food-contact requirement.
Sources
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.