While improved technology and advanced manufacturing processes have paved the way for “downsized” components and ever-precise performance, a variety of other influencing factors have contributed:     “Smaller” often translates to “lighter,” and components whose designs shed superfluous weight can achieve higher dynamics, require less power, and operate more effectively and efficiently.

     Smaller design envelopes for system components have forced designers to “fit more into less.”

     The “miniaturization” of parts to be positioned by linear systems has rippled to the necessary development of smaller machinery (and components) to handle the tasks.

     Innovations in systems integration have made significant inroads in the capability to design highly sophisticated and compact linear-motion solutions.

     Unique requirements further continue to drive applications toward “smaller solutions.”5