Guides
Technology explained
How the technology works: construction, operating principles, control and the engineering trade-offs behind each type of motion component.
Slip rings
- How slip rings workA slip ring passes power and signals from a stationary frame to a rotating one through conductive rings that turn against stationary brushes, so cables never wind up.
Linear actuators
- How electric linear actuators workAn electric linear actuator turns a motor's rotation into straight-line motion, usually through a screw and nut (lead, ball or roller screw) or a toothed belt; a linear motor skips the conversion and drives the load directly.
Servo and stepper motors
- Closed-loop stepper motors explainedA closed-loop stepper adds an encoder to a hybrid stepper so the drive can detect and correct lost steps, raise current only when the load needs it and alarm on a stall; it lets you size with less torque margin than open loop and run cooler, but a servo still wins at high speed, high torque at speed and with rapidly changing loads.
- How servo motors workAn industrial servo motor is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with an encoder: the drive reads rotor position, commutates the three-phase stator current so it always pulls at right angles to the magnets, and closes current, velocity and position loops around it.
- How stepper motors workA stepper motor turns a fixed angle each time its drive switches the current in its windings: a standard two-phase hybrid makes 200 full steps per revolution (1.8°).
Frameless and torque motors
- Direct-drive torque motors explainedA direct-drive torque motor is a large-diameter, high-pole-count brushless motor bolted straight to the load, with no gearbox or belt.
Gearboxes and harmonic drives
- How strain-wave gears workA strain-wave gear uses an elliptical wave generator to flex a thin toothed flexspline inside a rigid circular spline with two more teeth, so each input turn moves the output back by two teeth.
Encoders and feedback
- Encoder interfaces explainedMatch the encoder interface to what the drive accepts first, then to cable length and data needs.
Servo drives
- How servo drives workA servo drive converts supply power into a DC bus, then switches that bus into the motor's phases with pulse-width modulation so the winding current follows a command.
- Servo drive form factors explainedPut the drive where its heat, wiring and servicing are easiest to manage for your machine.
Pricing and availability
Get the products, pricing and sourcing support you need
Send us a part number, or tell us what the machine needs to do. Our UK engineers will come back with the right product, pricing, lead time and delivery, whether that is the original part, a checked alternative or a complete axis.
- Original parts or a checked alternative
- Pricing, lead time and delivery in one reply
- Components, complete axes and ongoing support
No obligation. Add what you know and an engineer will help with the rest. Prefer to configure it? Build a specification.
Spec builder
Build your specification
Select every part you need and answer the questions an applications engineer would ask. Our engineers use your specification to come back with the right products, pricing and lead times. You see your summary before we ask for any details.
Already know the part number? Send it to us directly.
- 1Products
- 2Performance
- 3Environment
- 4Volumes
- 5Your spec
What are you specifying?
Select everything you need. A motor, drive and gearbox can be specified together as one axis.
From component to working requirement
Find a solution, calculate the duty or source the parts
Explore selection questions, replacement routes and complete motion packages. Keep the application requirements alongside the product specifications.
48V EtherCAT servo drive selection
A nominal 48V supply and an EtherCAT label define only part of the enquiry. Establish voltage extremes, power flow, control modes and exact motor compatibility.
Compact low-backlash gearbox selection
Small size and low backlash are useful only if torque, stiffness, life and installation requirements are also satisfied. Evaluate the complete motor-gearbox-load assembly.
Custom and modified motion control components
A standard component with the right options may solve the problem. Establish that route before committing to a modified or fully custom design.
Motion sourcing for defence support-equipment retrofits
Organise component sourcing for maintenance facilities, handling equipment and test assets, with a clear distinction between hardware supply and overall system integration.
How it works
From enquiry to delivery
Send a part number or describe the application. Our engineers take it from there: the right product, a clear quotation, and delivery and support arranged.
- 01Tell us what you needSend a part number, or configure the application, quantities and timing.
- 02An engineer reviews itWe check the specification and find the original part, a checked equivalent or a complete axis.
- 03Receive your quotationProducts, pricing, lead time and compatibility notes in one reply.
- 04Order and deliveryWhen you are happy, the order is placed and delivery and after-sales support are arranged.