Patent ID: 7357085

Claim:
A machine guideway configured for use in automated processing equipment, comprising: a base defining a sliding groove; a slide block slideably received in the sliding groove, the slide block being configured for supporting a workpiece to be worked upon by the automated processing equipment; and an electromagnetic suspension system for providing a repulsion force having a direction opposite to that of gravitational force acting on the slide block during sliding of the slide block along the sliding groove to an original starting position, the electromagnetic suspension system being one of a first electromagnetic suspension system and a second electromagnetic suspension system, the second electromagnetic suspension system being a superconducting electromagnetic suspension system, the first electromagnetic suspension system comprising a plurality of electromagnets, a pair of permanent magnets, a plurality of pairs of clearance sensors, a current control center and a power source, the clearance sensors each being configured for measuring an actual suspension height of the slide block relative to the sliding groove.