We have been developing a three-dimensional (3-D) superconducting actuator with HTS bulk and electromagnets. Proposed 3-D superconducting actuator consists of the stator constructed by two-dimensional arranged electromagnets and HTS bulk superconductor as a mover. To realize the 3-D superconducting actuator with high performance, we have to investigate the shape-dependences of electromagnets and HTS bulk on levitating characteristics. In this study, we fabricated the individually controlled eight-polarities electromagnets and the two kinds of bolted joints cap cores to improve the control ability and levitation characteristics. And also, we prepared the disk-shaped and ring-shaped (with 20 rum inner diameter) HTS bulk with 60 mm diameter, and evaluated how magnetic field distribution influences the levitating characteristics as functions of levitation force and height. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.