Motors + Drives
Motors and drive components convert energy into controlled industrial motion. Proper selection depends on required torque, speed, power, duty cycle, gearing, control method, mounting, environment, and the mechanical load being moved.
Common Motor Types
Industrial motors are available in different electrical and mechanical configurations. The best motor depends on how the machine must accelerate, run, stop, reverse, position, and respond to changing loads.
AC Motors
AC motors are widely used for pumps, fans, conveyors, machine tools, compressors, and general industrial equipment. Designs vary in speed characteristics, starting behavior, efficiency, and control capability.
DC Motors
DC motors can provide controllable speed and torque over a broad operating range. Brushed and brushless designs differ in commutation, maintenance, efficiency, and control requirements.
Brushless Motors
Brushless motors use electronic commutation rather than mechanical brushes, supporting efficient operation, precise control, reduced maintenance, and compact motion systems.
Stepper Motors
Stepper motors move through controlled increments and are commonly used where repeatable positioning or low-speed motion can be achieved without complex feedback systems.
Servo Motors
Servo systems combine motors with feedback and control electronics to regulate position, speed, and torque with high precision in automated equipment.
Hydraulic Motors
Hydraulic motors convert pressurized fluid into rotary mechanical output and are often selected for high-torque machinery, mobile equipment, and demanding industrial motion applications.
Torque and speed must be considered together.
Motor selection is not simply a matter of matching horsepower or physical size. The motor must provide the required torque throughout the intended speed range and duty cycle.
Starting loads, acceleration, gearing, inertia, and intermittent overload conditions can substantially change system requirements.
Drive + Motion Components
Motors are only one part of the motion system. Gearing, actuators, controls, couplings, and other components modify or transmit motor output to the machine.
Gear Drives
Gearing changes speed, torque, direction, or axis of rotation. Gear ratio and mechanical efficiency influence motor sizing and output performance.
Variable Frequency Drives
Variable frequency drives regulate compatible AC motor speed and torque by controlling the electrical power supplied to the motor.
Linear Actuators
Linear actuators convert motor or fluid power into controlled straight-line movement for lifting, positioning, pushing, pulling, and adjustment.
Ball + Lead Screws
Threaded motion devices convert rotary motor output into linear movement. Pitch, efficiency, load, backlash, and speed affect positioning performance.
Couplings
Shaft couplings transmit rotary power between components while certain designs accommodate alignment errors, vibration, or axial movement.
Motion Controls
Drives and controllers coordinate motor current, speed, acceleration, position, feedback, and machine commands.
Motor + Drive Selection Factors
Motor selection should begin with the machine load and required motion rather than with a preferred motor type. Mechanical and electrical requirements must be considered as one system.
Start with the load, not the motor.
The Motor & Drive Selection Guide expands on torque, speed, power, gearing, duty cycle, inertia, control, mounting, and compatibility when selecting or replacing industrial motion equipment.
Related Motion Resources
These resources cover motor technologies, gearing, actuators, and related motion systems found throughout industrial equipment.
Motor resources for common industrial electrical motion applications.
Supporting components used to change or transmit motor output.
Rotary and linear technologies for powered industrial movement.