Position feedback system and method for use thereof

A machine comprising:

• at least two closed paths defined by at least two separate guide members spaced from one another;
• at least one magnetostrictive sensor disposed on each paths;
• at least one non-absolute sensor disposed on each paths;
• at least one movable element mounted for movement on each path;
• at least one programmable controller operatively associated with each sensor and each movable element, wherein the controller receives at least one signal from one of the sensors which is representative of at least one control variable of at least one of the associated movable elements.

A method for using at least two magnetostrictive sensors on each of at least two closed paths defined by at least two separate guide members spaced from one another, comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one moveable element for each path, that is movable on the path, and each movable element includes at least one magnet;
• providing at least two magnetostrictive sensors on each path for outputting positional information on each movable element, each magnetostrictive sensor is operatively associated with the at least one magnet;
• providing a first programmable controller electrically connected to the sensors;
• and
• using the positional information from each sensor so that the first programmable controller links the sensors into a single, continuous, virtual sensor on each path.

A method for using positional information on at least one movable element disposed on a closed path defined by a guide member, comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one movable element that is movable on the path, and each movable element includes at least one magnet;
• providing at least one magnetostrictive sensor on the path for outputting positional information on each movable element, each magnetostrictive sensor is operatively associated with the at least one magnet;
• providing a first programmable controller electrically connected to each sensor;
• using the positional information from each sensor;
• and
• wherein the step of providing at least one movable element further includes providing a servo-motor with each movable element, and the step of using the positional information includes performing commutation alignment on each servo-motor using the positional information from each sensor.