| Basic function | Linear movement along the primary horizontal direction | Linear movement along the secondary horizontal direction | Vertical linear movement, commonly used for height or depth adjustment | Together, the three axes provide three degrees of translational freedom. |
| Typical drive options | Ball screw, lead screw, belt drive, or linear motor | Ball screw, lead screw, belt drive, or linear motor | Ball screw, lead screw, or pneumatic actuator | The drive should match the required load, speed, repeatability, and duty cycle. |
| Common guide systems | Profile rail or supported round rail | Profile rail or supported round rail | Profile rail, crossed-roller guide, or linear bushing | Preloaded guides generally improve stiffness and reduce motion play. |
| Typical structural materials | Aluminum extrusion or machined aluminum | Aluminum extrusion, steel, or machined aluminum | Steel, aluminum, or cast structural material | Steel and cast structures usually provide higher stiffness; aluminum reduces moving mass. |
| Typical travel range | Approximately 50–3,000 mm | Approximately 50–2,000 mm | Approximately 25–1,000 mm | Actual travel depends on the frame size, payload, drive type, and safety clearance. |
| Typical positioning accuracy | About ±0.01–0.10 mm for standard industrial assemblies | About ±0.01–0.10 mm for standard industrial assemblies | About ±0.01–0.10 mm for standard industrial assemblies | Accuracy is application-dependent and should be confirmed with a defined measurement method. |
| Repeatability | Commonly ±0.005–0.05 mm | Commonly ±0.005–0.05 mm | Commonly ±0.005–0.05 mm | Repeatability describes the ability to return to the same position; it is not the same as absolute accuracy. |
| Typical maximum speed | Approximately 0.1–2.0 m/s | Approximately 0.1–2.0 m/s | Approximately 0.05–1.0 m/s | Permitted speed is limited by the guide, screw critical speed, payload, acceleration, and lubrication. |
| Load direction | Primarily horizontal loads and moments | Primarily horizontal loads and moments | Vertical load plus gravity-related holding force | The Z axis may require a brake or counterbalance to prevent downward movement during power loss. |
| Feedback devices | Limit switch, proximity sensor, encoder, or linear scale | Limit switch, proximity sensor, encoder, or linear scale | Limit switch, proximity sensor, encoder, or linear scale | Feedback selection depends on homing requirements, closed-loop control, and required position resolution. |
| Common applications | Material handling, dispensing, inspection, and assembly | Pick-and-place, scanning, packaging, and inspection | Drilling, dispensing, gripping, testing, and vertical positioning | A complete XYZ assembly is selected according to the combined motion profile and process load. |
| Key purchasing criteria | Travel, speed, acceleration, payload, and stiffness | Travel, speed, acceleration, payload, and stiffness | Payload, vertical holding force, brake requirement, and safety factor | Specify travel, payload, accuracy, repeatability, cycle time, environment, mounting, and control interface. |