Abstract: A control system for controlling a linear actuator including magnetic bearings for levitating a robot arm and a pulse motor for linearly driving the arm in a non-contact manner is disclosed, which comprises a displacement detection unit including displacement sensors, first and second calculation units, moving amount detection unit and adding circuit. The displacement detection unit detects displacement values of the arm from a reference posture, the first calculation unit calculates guiding (y), levitation (z), roll (p), pitching (q), and yaw (r) control current values in response to the displacement values and provides guiding, levitation, roll, pitching, and yaw control current signals (, , , , ). The moving amount detecting circuit detects a moving amount (X.sub.0) of the arm from a reference position in response to an operation of the pulse motor, and provides a compensation current value (.DELTA.Iq") proportional to the moving amount, and the adding circuit adds the compensation current value (.DELTA.

Abstract: A robot with no mechanically contacting components are suitable for use in special environments such as semiconductor manufacturing processes where dust and lubrication are matters of important concern. The robot has a linear actuator composed of magnetic bearings and a linear motor for moving a robot arm linearly without mechanical contact, and a rotary actuator composed of magnetic bearings and a rotary motor for rotating a body which supports the linear actuator, around the rotary actuator without mechanical contact.