Giant magnetostrictive clamping mechanism for heavy-load and precise positioning linear inchworm motors

This paper focuses on the development of a novel clamping principle and the mechanism that may be used to realize a linear motor capable of performing not only large thrust but also secure movement with high blocked clamping force. To verify this principle, a clamping prototype (size: ϕ32 × 130 mm) is constructed and tested. It generates a clamping force of 1050 N with an initial experimental set-up, and, a clamping force up to 1525 N with a modified set-up employing a hydro-press bench clamp. The theoretical and numerical analyses are carried out and suggest that the mechanism may generate a clamping force up to 2148 N with an adequate rigid guide-way.