ideas for creating linear movement/ general suggestions for approach please

Low tech, but at the bottom of the below page is a ~simple setup where a single SPSD relay and limit switches controls the direction and travel limits for a motor. Energize the relay and a motor runs until a limit switch is actuated. Deenergize the relay and the motor runs in the opposite direction until another limit switch is actuated. With the appropriate limit switch adjustment setup, reasonable accuraccy might be achieved.

http://web.comporium.net/~shb/switch.htm