Linear movements are generally driven in a rotary manner. The linear actuators can be divided into mechanical transmission type, namely:

• Timing belt
  High speed up to 5 m / sec, accuracy ± 0.05 mm, high efficiency and high cycle times.
• Trapeze spindle
  Low speed up to 0.15 m / sec, high accuracy ± 0.01 mm, self-braking, low efficiency and low cycle times.
• Ball screw spindle
  Low speed up to 1.25 m / sec, high accuracy ± 0.01 mm, not self-locking, high efficiency and high cycles times

These drives can be supplied with stepper motors - DC motors - brushless servo motors - asynchronous motors, depending on the application.

In addition, stepper motors with internal spindles for a linear movement can be realized at a low cost, see category stepper motors.