The challenge for mechanical automation systems in the past has been the successful conversion of rotational motion from electric or mechanical motors into useful forms of linear motion.  A breakthrough in this regard, the conveyor belt system represented one of the first useful implementations of rotary to linear motion conversion for use in a production environment.  These systems are able to transport a wide variety of raw materials and workpieces in a far more efficient manner than could previously be accomplished by the use of brute mechanical forces and are extremely useful in production environments.

Today, significant engineering work in the field of rotary motion conversion has yielded a diverse class of linear mechanical actuators which are useful for a broad range of advanced automation applications.  The challenge is selecting an appropriate actuator for the desired functionality, be it simply the movement of raw material in a manufacturing environment or the construction of more advanced motion systems designed to move tooling into precise positions.