In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary electromagnetic device, including: a housing (20); first and second stators (22 and 40) disposed in the housing, first and second rotors (24/26 and 42/44) disposed in the housing and magnetically interacting, respectively, with the first and second stators; the first stator and the first rotor comprising a rotary motor; the second stator and the second rotor comprising an electromagnetic brake; a shaft (28) extending through a portion of the housing and axially through the first and second rotors, the shaft having a threaded portion (50) extending through a complementary threaded portion (44) of one of the first and second rotors; whereby; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in a first direction, the shaft will move axially in a first direction; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in the second direction, the shaft will move axially in a second direction; and when the electromagnetic brake is released and the rotary motor is rotated, the shaft will rotate with the rotary motor.