Evaluation of the planar and normal forces of an electromagnetic planar actuator

This paper describes an analytical method to compute the static planar and normal forces of an electromagnetic planar actuator. The actuator has a mover with two permanent magnets. Its movement can take place along the x-axis and y-axis simultaneously, according to the direction of the propulsion planar force produced. A normal force is also present as an attraction force between the mover and the armature core. The planar force is computed by means of Lorentz force. The normal force was obtained by means of Maxwell stress tensor. The analytical models were validated by means of a finite element model and by experimental results.