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27 | Designing for Movement and Position Image Source: "chayantorn / stock.adobe.com" All the different types of electrical motors we have looked at so far in this series have been designed for one simple task: to transform electrical power into rotational mechanical force. The torque generated can be directly utilized or tailored to the load's specific requirements through a set of gears. Most motors can provide the torque output forward, in reverse, accelerating, and decelerating as required. However, many more applications require other types of mechanical force, and motors can also fulfill those needs. For example, a rotary force can be changed into the linear motion necessary to lift, lower, slide, or tilt the load in applications such as packaging and robotics. Mechanical energy can also be used to move a load between fixed positions. Traditional electric motors can perform these tasks with additional components, but in many circumstances, a dedicated motor design is more suited to the role. Linear Motion Turning rotational torque into linear force opens a broader range of applications for electrical motors in areas such as manufacturing, packaging, transportation, and defense applications. There are a few different ways of providing linear motion, including hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical motors. However, motors offer a safer, more efficient, and flexible solution in most use cases. Adding a linear actuator to a motor's output transforms rotational to linear motion quickly and easily. Linear actuators commonly feature devices such as ball screws or lead screws