The Two Types of Servo Motors

Posted July 3, 2023

Servo motors are a type of motor used for a variety of purposes from manufacturing to creating moving parts in retail products. They are small, electric, and efficient, allowing them to take on tasks that many other motors can’t execute. This includes things like powering the lens focus in cameras, allowing conveyor belts to stop and start, and helping milling machines accurately cut and form materials.

Let’s break down the two types, DC servo motors and AC servo motors.

DC Servo Motors

DC Servo Motors are a type of servo motor that utilizes direct current (DC) power. These motors are commonly used in a wide variety of applications, such as robotics, industrial automation, and computer numerical computing (CNC) machines.

These motors are designed to provide precise speed and position control in real-time, making them ideal for applications that require accurate motion control, which needs to be smooth and predictable. They typically consist of a motor, encoder, and control circuitry that work together to ensure accurate positioning. They can also be used in applications where the load changes, but the speed and position need to remain constant.

In robotics, DC servo motors are used to control the movement of the robot’s arms and legs, while in industrial automation, they are used in assembly lines to ensure that parts are assembled correctly. DC servo motors are also commonly used in CNC machines to control the movement of the cutting tool.

AC Servo Motors

AC servo motors are designed to operate with alternating current (AC) and are highly responsive to changes in input signals. They work on the principle of closed-loop control systems, which allow for precise positioning and speed control.

These motors feature a three-phase stator and a rotor with permanent magnets. The stator is supplied with three-phase AC voltage, which creates a rotating magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnets of the rotor. The interaction of the magnetic fields generates torque, which drives the motion of the motor.

AC servo motors are used more often than DC servo motors, especially within new machines, as they are easier to use and more advanced. They are capable of operating at high speeds, providing rapid acceleration and deceleration, and maintaining high accuracy even at low speeds. They offer a high torque-to-inertia ratio, allowing them to perform heavy-duty tasks while maintaining accuracy and precision.

Work with the Experts at Air & Hydraulic

Since 1971, Air & Hydraulic Equipment, Inc. has been providing unsurpassed products, expertise, and value-added services to a vast customer base that relies on hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and automation processes throughout Tennessee, North Georgia, and Southwest Virginia. Whether you’re new to industrial automation or looking to upgrade your existing equipment, we’re here to help.

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