Motors have a wide range of applications in a wide variety of industries. But what are servo drives necessary for? Servo drives control the modes of operation of the motor. Together with the motor, they form the interface between the mechanical system and the control system - they can therefore be described as the heart of any motion control system. Here their task is to tell the motor what to do according to the desired production result, how often and at what speed. In the industry, safety, precision and reliability of the drive system have the highest priority. With us you will find a wide range of motors and servo drives for the most diverse requirements. Now configure your servo drive solution together using the engineering tool Electric Motion Sizing - regardless of your control environment and its manufacturers. You can then commission your drive system quickly and easily using the Festo Automation Suite.
Learn more about our individual product categories such as electric servo drives, servo motors or stepper motors.
As a standard drive controller and in our core range you will find the multi-protocol capable CMMT-AS servo drive controller. This compact servo drive controller for point-to-point and interpolating movements is ideal for different Ethernet-based bus systems and can be directly integrated into system environments of other manufacturers.
Also included in the Festo core range is the EMMT-AS servo motor, which is the optimal solution for dynamic and demanding applications. The drive stands for maximum economy with maximum performance and offers a very low cogging torque, which ensures good controllability and path fidelity for positioning tasks. The simple connection technology (space-saving single-cable solution) and the 310° rotatable plug also allow fast and flexible installation.
A servo motor is an electric motor designed to provide precise control of position, speed, and torque, making it an essential component in industrial and automated systems. Its structure integrates a motor, a sensor for feedback, and a controller, allowing real-time performance adjustments according to system requirements.
The operation of a servo motor is based on a feedback control loop, which compares the desired position or speed with the actual value and adjusts the supplied energy to correct any deviation. Additionally, it works alongside a motor controller (servo drive), responsible for regulating power and control signals to ensure precise performance. Thanks to this system, the servo motor can maintain a stable position and dynamically respond to changes in load or operating conditions.
Servo motors are used in a wide range of applications that require precision, speed, and stability in motion control. They are fundamental in industrial automation, especially in robots, CNC machines, assembly systems, and manufacturing. They are also employed in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, as well as in renewable energy and transportation systems. Their fast response capability and high efficiency make them ideal for tasks that demand repetitive and precisely controlled movements.
Both servo motors and stepper motors are used for motion control, but they have key differences in their operation and applications.
The choice between a servo motor and a stepper motor depends on the requirements of each application. If speed and dynamic precision are needed, the servo motor is the best option. If a simple and cost-effective control is prioritized, the stepper motor may be more suitable.
For the plug connection with your electronics, we offer the right component for every drive technology. In our core range you will find the NEBM connecting cable for servo motors, motor controllers and servo drives from Festo. The plug connection can be used in a wide temperature range and is also suitability for energy chains.
In addition to the standard and the products from our core range, we also carry a number of other products in a variety of categories:
All our products are attractively priced and versatile. We offer motors and servo drives that are optimally suited for accelerating or decelerating in the millisecond range. Our Festo products are also ideal for the precise control of position, speed and torque or for controlling and maintaining specific positions with the highest possible precision.
Festo servo motors are often used in sectors or industries that rely on high precision, flexibility and reliability. Examples of this include:
Thanks to their dynamics, flexibility, precision and high performance, they are frequently used in the packaging industry and assembly technology. In plastics or medical technology, servo motors are also used to execute precise movements with a reaction time of just a few microseconds. Servo motors and suitable controllers are also required in metal production and processing in order to carry out drilling, bending or cutting of metals precisely and automatically.
The use of servo motors and suitable motor controllers offers many advantages in production. Especially in automation processes, servo motors can exploit their full potential. The following advantages speak for the use of servo motors in combination with the appropriate motor controllers:
A servo drive, also known as a motor controller, is an electronic device essential for managing and controlling motor performance in electrical and mechanical systems. It acts as the motor’s command center, adjusting key parameters such as speed, torque, rotation direction, and position according to the specific requirements of each application.
By processing control signals or feedback from sensors, the servo drive not only regulates the motor’s power input but also optimizes its performance in real time. This ensures high precision and efficiency, making it indispensable in industrial applications that require strict control and reliable performance.
Motor controllers (servo drives) receive commands from control systems or sensor feedback, interpreting this data to adjust the energy supplied to the motor. This allows the controller to automatically regulate motor operation according to the specific application requirements, whether by increasing speed, reducing torque, or positioning the motor with extreme precision.
Additionally, servo drives are programmable, allowing their functionality to be customized and adapted to the specific needs of each industry. This flexibility is a key advantage in sectors requiring high precision and control, such as industrial automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
Servo motors and motor controllers (servo drives) are interdependent components within motion control systems, but they serve different functions:
In other words, the servo motor executes movement, while the servo drive dictates how it should move. Without a controller, the servo motor could not function with the precision required in applications such as robotics, industrial automation, or CNC machinery.
This relationship between both components is key to achieving efficient and highly controlled motion systems in the industry.
An electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, transforming electricity into motion. It operates through the interaction between magnetic fields and electrical currents, generating the force needed to drive machines and equipment.
Unlike a servo motor, a conventional electric motor does not have an integrated position control system. While standard electric motors simply rotate when they receive power, servo motors allow precise control of position, speed, and torque through interaction with a servo drive.
Electric motors are used to automate industrial processes, drive conveyor belts, operate pumps, power machine tools, ventilators, compressors, and more. They are present in almost every industrial sector, as well as in household applications such as home appliances.
However, when precise motion control is required, servo motors and servo drives are the best choice compared to traditional electric motors.