Linear motor

A linear motor comprising:

• a frame linearly extending in a longitudinal direction and having a channel-shaped cross section, the frame having sidewalls and a bottom wall that define a channel;
• a core disposed on each of the side walls of the frame;
• an armature-side block disposed in the channel of the frame, the armature-side block having a plurality of armatures, each of the armatures having two end surfaces at positions opposite to the cores provided on the side walls of the frame;
• at least one linear guide having a rail fixed to the bottom wall of the frame and a slide block fixed to the armature-side block, such that the frame and the armature-side block are linearly movable relative to one another;
• and
• a linear encoder having a linear scale and a sensor spaced a distance from the linear scale, wherein the linear scale and the sensor are disposed within the channel of the frame.

A method for manufacturing a linear motor, the method comprising:

• providing a frame linearly extending in a longitudinal direction with sidewalls and a bottom to define a channel-shaped cross section;
• disposing a core on each of the side walls of the frame;
• disposing an armature-side block in the channel of the frame, the armature-side block having a plurality of armatures;
• positioning two end surfaces of each of the armatures adjacent to the cores provided on the side walls of the frame;
• affixing at least one linear guide having a rail to the bottom wall of the frame and a slide block to the armature-side block, such that the frame and the armature side block are linearly movable relative to one another;
• and
• disposing a linear encoder having a linear scale and a sensor spaced a distance from the linear scale within the channel of the frame.