Milwaukee Wis.— Following weeks of industry speculation about possible acquisition targets, Rockwell Automation announced Sept. 8 that it's acquiring Anorad Corp. (Hauppauge, N.Y.), a leading linear motor-based, precision positioning equipment manufacturer. The company says buying Anorad will immediately make it the global market share leader in linear motor technology, an area predicted to grow in automation.

Subject to customary regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed this year. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Jodie Glore, Rockwell Automation's president and coo, says motion control is a key to his company's overall automation control strategy, and that acquiring Anorad would help fulfill that vision.

"Market studies indicate that linear motor applications will grow 15% to 20% over the next five years. Acquiring Anorad will create an important technology advantage for our motion business," says Mr. Glore. Besides producing linear motors, Anorad also makes linear servo motors and linear motor-based positioning solutions.

Rockwell reports that linear motors are replacing traditional rotary motors in many linear manufacturing applications. For instance, positioning and motion systems with linear motion technology are used in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Their low-cost and noncontact features also make these products attractive for packaging applications and medical products. Linear motors will soon be used in high performance motion control and machine tool applications, says the company.Anorad will join Rockwell Automation's growing Motion and Information Group, headed by John McDermott, senior vice president. Anorad will continue to operate from its current Long Island, N.Y., headquarters and sell systems through its present distribution channel. It will also be led by current president and ceo, Anwar Chitayat, who will become the group's vice president and chief technical officer.