CASE STUDY: Step Motors in the Medical Industry

When selecting a step motor for an application in the medical industry, many factors need to be considered. Generally, most medical applications require a motor that is not only small and reliable, but they also require the motor's performance to be quiet, smooth and accurate. Achieving all of these key performance characteristics is no small task. Most medical applications operate in very critical environments; therefore, choosing the right stepper motor is of the utmost importance.

A company in the medical industry approached Lin Engineering, a Santa Clara, CA-based step motor manufacturer, with an application that involved integrating a step motor into an automated implantation system for isotope seeds. Once it's developed, the machine would be used to treat cancer patients. Given the context of where the motor would be used, the characteristics below were a must:

1. Reliable
2. Small Package (less than 0.65 in. thick)
3. Extremely Accurate
4. Quiet
5. Custom Shaft

After examining the customer's requirements, Lin Engineering determined that a 0.9°, NEMA frame size 17 motor would be just right to meet the demands. In fact, Lin's 416 Super Slim Line motors fit the bill.

Not only is the 416-06 motor a mere 0.58 in. thick, over the years it has proven to be extremely accurate, quiet and reliable. The final requirement for the customer was a slotted shaft option. With an in-house pilot line that is dedicated to building prototypes and custom motors, Lin Engineering was able to modify the 416-06 motor's shaft to meet the customer's request.