As a writer and editor, it’s always fun (and sometimes surprising) to look back at the end of the year and see what articles our readers were most interested in. And for you, our readers, it offers the chance to take a quick look at what are, at least to some of your peers, important topics in the world of linear motion. With this in mind, here are the top 5 (and one bonus!) LinearMotionTips.com articles of 2016.

1. How to calculate motor drive torque for ball screws

When sizing a motor, one of the most important factors is the required torque. In general, motor torque-speed curves outline two primary areas of permissible torque: continuous and intermittent. Intermittent motor torque is allowed only for a short time (specified by the manufacturer) and in most cases is the torque required during acceleration. A motor’s continuous torque is determined by calculating the root mean square of all the torques that occur throughout the application, which typically includes torque during acceleration, torque during constant speed, and torque during deceleration.

Read the full article here.