Force Controlled Linear Motors

Fully Integrated

ORCA Series Linear Motors are engineered with integrated power delivery, motor drivers, logic, and an advanced suite of sensors, offering a two fold benefit for users. Firstly, all components are calibrated at the time of manufacturing which increases performance and simplifies integration into your existing infrastructure. Secondly, reduce your installation overhead with pre-installed components which are all configured to interact with each other correctly. ORCA motors provide integrated sensing including force, position, and temperature sensing.

ORCA Series motors are equipped with a kinematic controller that allows motion profiles to be saved directly to the motor. These profiles allow movement to a shaft position over a specified period of time. Kinematic motions can be triggered using software or by a hardware trigger, such as a button or signal. Up to 32 motions can be saved to a single ORCA Series motor.

Low Latency

On-board advanced microprocessors and integrated sensing allow for sub-millisecond control loop times. This is a critical feature in virtual reality (VR) applications such as simulation as slower control loop timing leads to nausea in riders.

High Performance Four-Phase

Iris Dynamics’ unique four phase motor geometry, combined with our proprietary software, allows our motors to generate linear force throughout the entire stroke without any of the cogging or grain that plagues other motors. All our motors are fully back driveable. Our onboard sensing and feed forward control algorithms allow the motors to move with very high levels of precision in position and velocity.

What is a smart linear motor?

Iris Dynamics' smart linear motors integrate drivers, controllers, and sensors. They also feature simplified wiring and mechanical mounting points. This design makes traditionally challenging tasks—such as retrofitting pneumatic cylinders, remotely linking controls, and collecting and managing force and motion data—much simpler.

ORCA Smart Linear Motors utilize patented cog-less magnetic construction, giving customers a significant advantage in both time to market and machine performance with every use of the ORCA motors.

Can I customize my ORCA motor from a scripting standpoint?

Yes, ORCA motors can be customized through scripting, supported by various programming and scripting interfaces, including MATLAB, LabVIEW, and custom software via Modbus RTU. The IrisSDK for Windows offers an API written in C++ to simplify Modbus communications, facilitating integration with custom-developed applications. This allows you to script and automate motor control, position targeting, force control, and more

What is kinematic mode VS position mode?

Position mode with the IO SmartHub allows streaming positions through an analog signal, allowing full customization of position profiles. Kinematic mode, a built-in feature, allows the simple creation of motion profiles directly on the motor itself. These motion profiles typically follow sinusoidal paths to connect positions. Essentially, kinematic profiles can be triggered with digital signals, and position mode is through analog signals.

LEARN MORE: Forward and Inverse Kinematics Explained

Do you offer shaft customization?

Yes, the shaft length of the ORCA motors can be customized. You can specify the shaft length anywhere from 10 to 40 inches in whole-inch increments. This customization allows you to tailor the shaft length to your specific application’s needs.

What is the life expectancy of an ORCA Motor?

ORCA motors are designed and built to last the lifespan of most applications, the only life-limited components in ORCA motors are their bushings. The plastic bushings are located on either end of the stator and can attain over 50 million cycles when operating under very low side loads. We have compiled a comprehensive guide on full bushing life cycle analysis to help you easily identify when a replacement is necessary.

Do you offer SDK for Linux?

Standard Modbus libraries can be used to communicate with motors through various coding or program platforms. The USB<>422 cables included in the starter kit have Linux support. As for sending and receiving communication over the USB cable, refer to our ORCA Series Modbus User Guide.

How silent are ORCA Motors?

ORCA motors are as silent as 20 dB, which is comparable to the noise level of a whisper. The motor may exceed 20 dB at the inaudible frequency of 24 kHz due to motor switching noises. This will be picked up by microphones as a sharp spike in sound at 24 kHz, but the spectrum is very narrow.

What is meant by voltage being included in the part number?

The voltage indicated in the part name/number represents the general voltage at which the maximum stall force is available. Essentially, the 48 V specification requires a higher voltage to achieve the maximum stall force, allowing for greater stall forces. This voltage serves as the recommended range for the motor.

What type of power supply is recommended?

Any power supply with adequate power and no over-voltage protection can be used to power ORCA motors. To determine the minimum power required, an assessment of the necessary forces in relation to the motor constant is needed. For a comprehensive guide, refer to our article on selecting the right power supply for your linear actuator.

Do ORCA motors require specialized software?

The motor has fully integrated control, and technically everything can be set over Modbus without ever using another program. Iris Dynamics offers a windows program called “Iris Controls” which provides a GUI for configuring the motor.

LEARN MORE: Iris Dynamics Software

What are the benefits of moving the supplied power from 24V to 60V for the ORCA-6-24V?

Increasing the voltage reduces the current required to achieve the same force, while the maximum force remains unchanged. The primary benefit of switching from 24 V to 60 V is the increase in maximum speed, although other factors remain similar. For more details, please refer to the datasheet sections 'ORCA-6-24V Force, Power, and Speed' and 'ORCA-6-48V Force, Power, and Speed' for information on the impact of the 48 V configuration.

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Rugged, Reliable, Waterproof

ORCA Motors are engineered to withstand the harshest environments. Rated IP68, they’re not only water-resistant but capable of operating fully submerged at significant depths for extended periods. ORCA motors are fully encapsulated in epoxy— solid-state with the motor’s shaft as the only moving part. This rugged design makes ORCA motors ideal not only for controlled lab environments but also for outdoor, wet, and demanding conditions where exposure to dirt, moisture, or debris is expected.

Low Voltage DC & Mobile Robotics

ORCA Motors are optimized to operate on low voltage DC, making them adaptable to various power sources. In indoor settings, this is typically achieved through an AC-to-DC power supply, while their fully integrated DC operation also makes them ideal for mobile and vehicle-mounted robotics. Powered directly by batteries or a vehicle’s alternator, ORCA Motors bring versatility to autonomous systems. With all PID control loops running directly within the motor, ORCA Motors offload processing and control tasks from the main robotic system, simplifying design and enhancing overall efficiency in field-ready applications.

Mechanical Compliance

ORCA Motors' advanced force-sensing and backdrivability make them uniquely suited for applications that require mechanical compliance. Mechanical compliance allows the motor system to adapt under external force, adding a level of flexibility that reduces strain on components and helps protect against damage. By providing a programmable “give” under load, ORCA Motors can absorb impacts, minimize wear, and improve system durability across a range of demanding applications. This compliance is especially advantageous in unpredictable environments where unexpected forces may arise, offering resilience and reliability in both human-centric and purely mechanical systems.

Silent

With the quietest motors on the market, we facilitate easier integration into environments that people share. Lower noise levels in industrial settings are safer and less fatiguing for humans. Simulation and entertainment applications benefit from deeper immersion with no need for the implementation of music or sound effects to cover the noise of the motors.

ORCA-3-12V Affordable & Highest Speed
Max Force	182 N 40.8 lbf
Min Continuous Force	33 N 7 lbf
Max Speed	6.5 m/s 256 in/s
Force Accuracy	±1.0 N 0.22 lbf
Position Accuracy	±250 μm ±0.0098 in
Stator Length	89 mm 3.5 in
Shaft Length	9 in
Usable Stroke	89 mm 3.5 in
View All Specifications

ORCA-3-36V Affordable & High Speed
Max Force	281 N 63.1 lbf
Min Continuous Force	34 N 8 lbf
Max Speed	4.2 m/s 165 in/s
Force Accuracy	±1.0 N 0.22 lbf
Position Accuracy	±250 μm ±0.0098 in
Stator Length	89 mm 3.5 in
Shaft Length	9 in
Usable Stroke	89 mm 3.5 in
View All Specifications

ORCA-6-LITE Cost-Effective
Max Force	246 N 97.5 lbf
Min Continuous Force	73 N 16 lbf
Max Speed	1.3 m/s 51 in/s
Force Accuracy	±0.74 N 0.17 lbf
Position Accuracy	±150 μm ±0.0059 in
Stator Length	175.4 mm 6.91 in
Shaft Length	15 in
Usable Stroke	129 mm 5.1 in
View All Specifications

ORCA-6-24V Versatile
Max Force	426 N 95.7 lbf
Min Continuous Force	75 N 17 lbf
Max Speed	3.8 m/s 148 in/s
Force Accuracy	±0.57 N 0.13 lbf
Position Accuracy	±150 μm ±0.0059 in
Stator Length	175.4 mm 6.91 in
Shaft Length	15 in
Usable Stroke	129 mm 5.1 in
View All Specifications

ORCA-6-48V High Force
Max Force	638 N 143.5 lbf
Min Continuous Force	75 N 17 lbf
Max Speed	2.5 m/s 99 in/s
Force Accuracy	±0.64 N 0.14 lbf
Position Accuracy	±150 μm ±0.0059 in
Stator Length	175.4 mm 6.91 in
Shaft Length	15 in
Usable Stroke	129 mm 5.1 in
View All Specifications

ORCA-15-48V Highest Force
Max Force	1061 N 238 lbf
Min Continuous Force	174 N 39 lbf
Max Speed	1.5 m/s 60 in/s
Force Accuracy	±0.94 N 0.22 lbf
Position Accuracy	±150 μm ±0.0059 in
Stator Length	404 mm 15.91 in
Shaft Length	30 in
Usable Stroke	282 mm 11.11 in
View All Specifications

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