Lin Engineering
MotorLab sizing suite

Rack and pinion motor sizing

Model linear motion driven by a pinion. Simple mode estimates torque and speed; advanced mode adds friction, external forces, and duty cycle.

Inputs
Direction
H for horizontal motion or V for vertical lift.
Pinion diameter
mm
Pinion pitch diameter in millimeters.
Linear speed
mm/s
Target linear rack speed in mm/s.
Load mass
kg
Total payload mass moved by the rack in kilograms.
Time to reach speed
s
Acceleration time from rest to target speed.
Friction coefficient
Effective friction coefficient for guides and rack support.
Gear ratio (pinion : motor)
Transmission ratio from pinion torque to motor torque.
Drive efficiency
Overall drivetrain efficiency from 0 to 1.
Results
Key resultsRequired motor performance
Required continuous torque
0.178Nm
Required peak torque
0.178Nm
Required speed
763.9RPM

Use these results to find motors

All results

Radius

0.025

m

Linear speed

0.5

m/s

Acceleration

0.5

m/s^2

Normal force

196.2

N

Friction force

15.696

N

Force (no friction)

10

N

Total linear force

25.696

N

Pinion torque

0.642

Nm

Pinion speed

191

RPM

Motor torque

0.178

Nm

Motor speed

763.9

RPM