In short:Coreless brushed motors, slotless and low-voltage brushless motors, voice coils and compact DC servo drives from other makers can match many FAULHABER parts, but at small sizes the winding data, commutation type, speed-torque curve, gearhead and encoder fit decide equivalence, so the whole drive train should be compared.
What FAULHABER makes
Dr. Fritz Faulhaber GmbH & Co. KG is a German drive specialist known for small, high-precision motors. FAULHABER is a trademark of its owner. Its core product is the brushed DC micromotor with an ironless, self-supporting copper rotor coil wound at a skew, a design Dr. Fritz Faulhaber Sr. developed and patented in 1958. The low-mass coil gives low inertia and cogging-free running.
The range includes brushed coreless motors with precious metal (SR) or graphite (CR, CXR) commutation, brushless DC motors such as BX4, BXT (flat) and BP4, LM linear DC-servomotors, stepper motors, precision gearheads (including the GPT planetary range), linear actuators, encoders, and drive electronics including the MC motion controllers. Engineers often meet these parts in compact, battery-powered or precision equipment where size and efficiency matter.
Why engineers look for a FAULHABER alternative
- Lead time on a particular motor, gearhead and encoder combination.
- Second source for a medical or instrument product in volume production.
- Budget, where the application does not need the full performance of the part.
- Different form, such as a slotless brushless motor for much higher speed, or a voice coil for a short stroke.
- Different electronics, for example an EtherCAT drive where the machine already standardises on one.
What makes a micromotor alternative truly equivalent
- Envelope. Diameter, length, front face threads and shaft, to the tenth of a millimetre.
- Winding data. Nominal voltage, terminal resistance, torque constant, no-load speed and current.
- Operating point. Torque and speed inside the continuous range at your ambient.
- Commutation. Precious metal, graphite or brushless, matched to current and duty.
- Gearhead. Ratio, continuous and intermittent torque, input speed, efficiency and backlash.
- Encoder. Counts per turn, channels, line driver and index.
- Life. Brushed motor life depends heavily on current and duty; ask for life data at your operating point.
- Special needs. Sterilisation, vacuum, high temperature, low noise or documentation for medical devices.
Our guide to selecting a DC motor walks through the motor constants and thermal check.
Alternatives in our supply network
Coreless brushed. The D-Series coreless DC motors have cog-free, low-inertia rotors in 13 to 40 mm frames, from 3 to 48 VDC, with encoder and gearhead options. The DINGS ZYT brushed motors cover 8 to 80 mm with encoder, brake and planetary options.
Brushless. The DINGS ZWWC slotless brushless motors run from 10 to 42 mm diameter at up to about 50,000 rpm with no cogging. For larger low-voltage servo axes, the Leadshine ELVM series starts at a 25 mm 33 W unit.
Short-stroke linear. Where an LM linear DC-servomotor is used for short, fast strokes, the Akribis AVM voice coil offers zero cogging and backlash in 12 to 90 mm frames with strokes up to 40 mm. See selecting a voice coil or piezo motor.
Drives and controllers. The Leadshine ELD3 is a palm-sized 24 to 70 VDC drive from 50 to 750 W with STO; the Kinco OD mini drives cover 24 to 60 VDC; and the Novanta Denali is a 48 VDC, 5 A continuous drive for very tight spaces.
How these comparisons are made
The table under this text compares each FAULHABER series we hold data for with the closest product from our supply network, on published figures only. “Equivalent” means a product that meets the stated specification for your application, confirmed by an engineer, not an identical part. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by FAULHABER, and no logos are used. Names identify products only.
At micromotor sizes, the original is sometimes the only part that fits. If so, we will say so.
FAULHABER series and the closest match from our supply network
Each row compares the highest published figures for the series. A match here is a starting point: an engineer confirms the fit for your load, duty, mounting and interface before recommending anything.
| FAULHABER series | Type | Closest match |
|---|---|---|
| MC motion controllers (MC 3001 / 3602 / 3603 / 3606 / 5004 / 5005 / 5010) | Motion controller | Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds the figure compared |
| CR (graphite commutation) | Coreless DC motor | Ask an engineer |
| CXR (graphite commutation) | Coreless DC motor | Ask an engineer |
| SR (precious-metal commutation) | Coreless DC motor | Ask an engineer |
| GPT planetary gearheads | Planetary gearbox | APEX Dynamics P-II / P-IIR meets 1 of 2 figures Meets 1 of 2 figures compared |
| LM linear DC-servomotors | Tubular linear motor | Akribis Systems AQM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| BP4 | DC servo motor | Kinco SMH Series Low-Voltage DC Servo Motor (SMH110D) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| BX4 | DC servo motor | Kinco SMH Series Low-Voltage DC Servo Motor (SMH110D) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| BXT | DC servo motor | Kinco SMH Series Low-Voltage DC Servo Motor (SMH110D) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Dr. Fritz Faulhaber GmbH & Co. KG. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a coreless motor equivalent to FAULHABER SR or CR?
Coreless brushed DC motors from other makers use the same principle: an ironless, self-supporting rotor coil that gives low inertia and no cogging. Compare diameter, length, nominal voltage, no-load speed, stall torque, terminal resistance, torque constant, and commutation type (precious metal for low currents, graphite for higher loads and frequent start-stop), then check the gearhead and encoder.
Precious metal or graphite commutation: which should the alternative have?
Match what the duty needs. FAULHABER explains that precious metal commutation suits low current density and low contact resistance, such as battery-powered and low start-up voltage applications, while graphite brushes give reliable power transfer under higher currents, shock or vibration. An alternative with the wrong commutation may meet the torque figure but wear early.
Can a different controller drive a FAULHABER brushless motor?
Usually, if the drive supports the motor's Hall sensors or encoder and you can enter its parameters. Small, fast motors often have very low inductance, so check the drive's minimum load inductance and PWM frequency to avoid current ripple and heating. Compact low-voltage drives from our supply network can be checked against those figures.
What should I send to get a FAULHABER equivalent proposed?
Send the full part numbers of motor, gearhead, encoder and controller, the torque and speed at each operating point, duty cycle, supply voltage, envelope, shaft and mounting, environment, life target and any medical, sterilisation or vacuum needs. Operating points matter more than catalogue maxima at this size.
Sources
- FAULHABER: DC motors (coreless skew winding, commutation types, product lines)
- FAULHABER: brushless DC motors
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.