Servomotors

What is a servomotor?

A servo motor converts electrical power into mechanical power and is often used in dynamic systems that require rapid movements. Key characteristics of a servo motor include high dynamics, overload capacity, positioning and speed accuracy, compact construction, and low weight. A servo motor is part of an electromechanical servo system and often requires a feedback system, such as an encoder, to measure position. Servo motors can also achieve linear movements without a mechanical transmission. Selecting the right servo motor depends on factors such as drive dynamics, mass or inertia, desired accuracy, environmental conditions, and disturbances. VARIODRIVE provides advice for making the correct choice of a servo motor. For more information, please refer to the entire article “What is a servo motor?”.

Types of Servo Motors

A servo motor is an electric motor that offers precise positioning and control in automated systems. It consists of a stator and rotor, with an integrated feedback mechanism that measures position and drives the servo motor. VARIODRIVE utilizes various types of servo motors and systems. Each servo motor serves a different purpose; below are the types that VARIODRIVE often employs and their respective functions:

1. Rotary Servo Motor
2. Linear Servo Motor
3. Kit Servo Motor
4. Servo Motor in an ATEX Environment
5. Direct Drive Servo Motor
6. Servo Motor with Integrated Electronics

Each type has specific features and finds applications in diverse industries. Explore the types of servo motors available and determine which suits your industry, or feel free to get in touch with us!

How to Select Your Servo Motor?

Now that you are aware of the servo motors offered by VARIODRIVE, it’s crucial to determine how to select your servo motor and what factors to consider. When selecting a servo motor, important factors such as the torque-speed curve, mass inertia ratio, accuracy, efficiency, cooling, and more should be taken into account. Ensuring that the servo motor stays within the nominal curve, has a suitable mass inertia ratio, and achieves the desired accuracy is essential. Enhancing the performance of your servo motor can be achieved through high efficiency and the implementation of cooling options if applicable. It’s vital that the mechanical construction can withstand forces and thermal expansion. For vertical loads, ensuring load control is important. Determining the environmental conditions for your servo motor is crucial in the selection process.

ATEX Servo Motors

Servo motors that comply with ATEX guidelines are essential in hazardous environments, such as the oil and gas industry and the chemical sector. These specially designed and certified servo motors offer safety and reliability for explosive industries. They do not generate ignition sources, provide increased protection against sparks and explosions, and are resistant to corrosion and chemicals. Despite strict safety standards, ATEX servo motors still deliver precise positioning and dependable performance. VARIODRIVE offers a wide range of ATEX servo motors and customized solutions, backed by expertise in drive technology.

Feedback Sensor for Servo System

Selecting the appropriate feedback sensor for a servo system depends on various factors. Feedback sensors measure the position and/or speed of a servo motor and are crucial for precise control. There are different types of sensors available, including analog, digital pulse, and serial sensors. Key parameters in the selection process include position resolution, accuracy, and EMC sensitivity. VARIODRIVE assists in choosing the optimal feedback sensor and provides guidance during the design process.

Development of Servo Systems

The development of electromechanical servo systems has undergone a remarkable journey. Over the past century, concepts and techniques have emerged that laid the foundation for modern servo systems. The industrial revolution spurred the need for more efficient production methods, leading to mechanization and automation through the use of servo systems. Other significant driving factors included their application during World War II and the rise of computers.

With the digitization of servo systems, more powerful controllers have become possible, incorporating features such as feedforwards, filters, and advanced profile generators, resulting in higher accuracy and stability. Current servo controllers and motors offer unprecedented capabilities, where central control and soft motion via bus systems enable advanced applications.

Discover these powerful servo controllers in the article on “History and Development of Electromechanical Servo Systems.”

A Servo Controller in a Servo System

The servo controller plays a crucial role in a servo system and has gained increasing importance over time. It’s an electronic device responsible for ensuring that the servo motor moves at the correct speed to the desired position based on a reference signal. The servo controller supplies the appropriate current and voltage to the servo motor to enable these movements. It comprises components such as a power stage, control circuit, controllers for current, speed, and position, an interface with the control system, and a feedback circuit. VARIODRIVE provides expertise and solutions for servo controllers, assisting in selecting and tuning the right controller for each application.

contact us

Purpose and Structure of an Electromechanical Servo System

Electromechanical servo systems are advanced systems that convert electrical energy into precisely controlled mechanical movements. They consist of several components:

• Servo motor
• Servo controller
• Feedback system
• Control system

The primary purpose of a servo system is to precisely follow a specific input signal. These systems find extensive applications across various industries where precision, speed, and repeatability are crucial.

For more information, read the full article “Purpose and Structure of an Electromechanical Servo System.”

Accuracy of Servo Systems

The accuracy and flexibility of servo systems are continuously increasing, leading to intriguing advancements in the field of Motion Control. Servo systems are being employed in a growing number of markets and product categories, often replacing pneumatics with servo axes for precise positioning. Robotics, logistics, and various sectors are benefiting from the progress in servo technology. Enhanced control and integration allow for more targeted applications of servo systems, resulting in more efficient processes.

Key observations and developments include:

1. Servo systems make machines more flexible.
2. Automation of product handling requires higher accuracy.
3. Motion Control in AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) becomes more efficient, compact, and purpose-driven.
4. Seamless integration of motion control systems is facilitated by EtherCAT bus technology.
5. Native CODESYS, a universal software development environment, simplifies and widens the applicability of software development for motion control systems.

VARIODRIVE closely monitors these developments and provides Motion Control solutions that meet the ever-changing requirements and needs of customers.

For more details, refer to the complete article on “The Accuracy of Servo Systems.”