, including high-speed pick and place, automated assembly, vision inspection, and dispensing. BLM Series brushless linear servomotors offer speeds to 1 m/sec and accelerations of 0.5 g. A rugged, noncontact optical linear encoder provides feedback. The air bearings are magnetically preloaded and assembled to provide optimized stiffness and load distribution over a large surface area. Opposing thin-film pressure maintains the bearing nominal gap tolerance. The result is a stage with high stiffness suitable for heavy or offset loading. Noncontact linear motors mean there is no backlash, wear, or maintenance.