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Welcome to this Design World Classroom on integrated motors!

Recall that traditional servo systems necessitate the wiring together of a separate motor, encoder, amplifier, and controller. In contrast, integrated motor-drive systems combine a motor and a drive at the very least, with some integrated-motor variations also including other components such as controllers and encoders. Integrated motors are often classified as plug-and-play motion components — as they can usually be setup out of the box with less engineering effort.

In this latest classroom, you’ll find resources on integrated motors to differentiate the most common variations of these motion-control mainstays, and details on how to use the motors to satisfy requirements for loading, stroke, speed, accuracy, and design life.

Selecting  •  Connecting  •  Networking Integrated Motors

New connectivity from cables and connectors for motion designs

What are some connectivity options for smart motors?

More details on the trend towards Ethernet-based networking protocols

Centralized or decentralized: Which motion architecture is best

Easy connections to sensors, field devices, and other automation solutions are becoming the norm in motion control 

The class of motors known as “smart” motors continue to see a steady increase in use in many industrial applications. 

In a recent survey of industry experts, many mentioned Ethernet-based networking protocols overtaking traditional fieldbuses.

Decentralizing servo technology can lower costs in packaging and food and beverage applications.

The basic idea is easy to understand. An integrated motor-drive system combines a motor and a drive (at the very least) and can also include other components such as controllers or encoders. Sometimes these integrated motion subsystems are simply called drives.

Tuning a servo system is a complex and iterative process. It typically requires tuning multiple control loops, each with its own gains (proportional, integral, and/or derivative) to be adjusted. In addition, tuning a servo drive usually requires adjustments to additional parameters including acceleration and velocity feed-forward gains and filters to reduce oscillations.

Five conveyor trends — including new materials, drives, and pallet-carrying variations

Motion Trends: New motor breeds are smart, connected, and compact

Electric motor miniaturization, connectivity, and customization

Developments in integrated motors

Integrated motors are not a new concept; they’ve been around for a few decades now. But in that time, the separate components from which integrated motor are built have gotten smaller. 

Trends in electric motors for motion control and automation revealed several trends and emerging developments in the use of synchronous ac motors and stepper motors.

Leading trends in electric motors for motion designs are migration to custom solutions, heightening emphasis on efficiency and connectivity for IoT capabilities.

The potential uses for today’s smart motors and controllers with conveyor systems are nearly limitless 

Servo-motor torque curves: What you need to know

What is a servo drive?

What are integrated motor-drive combinations?

Servo systems consist of four main components — a motor, a drive, a controller, and a feedback device … with the latter usually an encoder. 

A servo motor can maintain a tightly controlled position, torque, or speed in applications that require closed-loop operation and the ability to respond to disturbances.

Assembling a traditional servo system necessitates the wiring together of a separate motor, encoder, amplifier, and controller.

This comprehensive collection with illustrations and descriptions, includes formulas, terms, and explanations for the calculations concerning drive systems. 

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maxon develops and builds high precision electric drive systems that are among the best in the world. We combine brushed and brushless DC motors, gearheads, sensors, and controllers into complete mechatronic drive systems. Our drives are perfectly suited for medical applications where extreme precision and the highest quality standards are necessary and where compromises cannot be tolerated.