This section provides an overview for motor shafts as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 17 motor shaft manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked motor shaft companies as of November, 2024: 1.Nanotec Electronic U.S. Inc., 2.MacLean-Fogg, 3.ROMCO Mfg Inc.
Table of Contents
A motor shaft is a linear servo motor that moves in a linear motion by means of electricity.
The first means of obtaining linear motion by electricity is a ball screw. Motor shafts have advantages over ball screws, such as high positional accuracy, high speed operation, and high quietness, as well as the ability to control multiple actuators on a single shaft, called multi-drive.
Another major difference between a motor shaft and a flat type linear motor that performs the same linear motion as a shaft motor is the coreless structure. Shaft motors do not suffer from cogging, which is a drawback of linear motors that use an iron core called a core.
Motor shafts are used in mechanisms to control linear motion. Motor shafts can be roughly divided into two categories: processing and manufacturing equipment as well as measuring and inspection equipment.
Examples of applications in processing and manufacturing equipment include metal processing equipment, electrical discharge machining tools, laser cutting machines, precision XY stages, steppers, and coater/developers.
Examples of measuring and inspection equipment include inspection equipment for liquid crystal applications and semiconductor applications, microscopes for living organisms, spectroscopic and optical measuring instruments, as well as inspection equipment for printed circuit boards, surface inspection equipment, three-dimensional measuring equipment, probers, and scanners.
In addition to the above, motor shafts are also used when multiple mover units are required on the same shaft, when two shafts are used to move large, heavy objects, or when high environmental performance is required.
A motor shaft consists of a shaft section and a coil section. The shaft section consists of several cylindrical magnets arranged so that their N and S poles face each other and are housed in a stainless steel cylinder.
The feature of the shaft is that the magnets are arranged so that they are facing each other with the same poles, thus generating a strong magnetic force. The coil part is the component that functions as a mover, and the coil is wound to cover the shaft part. When a magnetic field is generated by passing an electric current through the coil, a thrust force is generated according to Fleming's left-hand rule. The operating principle of the motor shaft is to control the position and moving speed of the mover by controlling the electric current.
Motor shafts have four main features:
The structure of a motor shaft consists only of a shaft and a coil. The shaft part is a permanent magnet and the coil part is a wound coil. Therefore, there are no complicated mechanical parts. Since the parts do not come into contact with each other, there is no friction. Another advantage of motor shafts is that they are easy to maintain and do not generate noise or wear powder.
Ball screws are contact mechanisms, and errors due to gaps between parts, known as backlash, are inevitable. The coreless structure of a motor shaft, however, has the advantage of eliminating cogging, or uneven motion, because the coil and shaft do not have an adsorption force.
Motor shafts can be used in parallel, tandem, and multi-shaft drive systems in addition to single-shaft drive, which is a linear motion of one shaft. Parallel drive is a method in which two parallel motor shafts are driven simultaneously, and is used to drive large and heavy objects.
Tandem drive is a method in which two motors are driven side by side on the same axis, and a large thrust force can be obtained. Multi-drive is a drive method in which two mover units are driven separately on the same axis.
Motor shafts can be installed by centering them within the clearance between the shaft and mover. Poor centering accuracy for ball screws can greatly affect the life of the equipment. In addition, flat-type linear motors with cores require that the mounting gap between the mover and stator be uniform over the entire length of the motor.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ROMCO Manufacturing Inc., established in 1975 and based in Deer Park, Texas, is an American manufacturer and supplier of precision machine parts. The company utilizes its capabilities, like the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) system in manufacturing parts from various materials, including aluminum, nickel alloy, plastic, and stainless steel, primarily for the gas turbine industry. Its product lineup includes air seal, blade ring, and combustion hardware, as well as cross flame tube sets. The company also caters to other sectors, including aerospace, brewing, oil and gas, as well as packaging. It also supplies precision parts and hardware for the United States Air Force.
Nanotec Electronic U.S. Inc., headquartered in the United States, has been an eminent manufacturer and supplier of motion control solutions for 30 years. The company specializes in developing superior motors, drives, and controllers that empower industries worldwide. Nanotec Electronic U.S. Inc. has forged a path of innovation in motion control technology. Their relentless pursuits revolve around delivering precision and efficiency to industries such as automation, robotics, and medical equipment manufacturing. Through steadfast devotion to cutting-edge solutions, they enable their clients to achieve enhanced performance and productivity.
Innov8tive Designs, Inc., founded in 2006, is an American supplier based in Monroe, Michigan, engaging in electric power systems designed for various applications, including radio-controlled (RC) hobbyists, industrial usage, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company offers its product lineup under various brands, like Amass, APC, BadAss, Cobra, GemFan, Tempest, and ToolkitRC. These offerings include airplane kits, batteries, battery eliminator circuits (BECs), brushless motors, and chargers. Other products offered include connectors and cables, motor mounts and parts, multi-rotor products, propellers and propeller adapters, and speed controllers. The company also produces custom RC aircraft models powered by BadAss, Cobra, and Tempest motors.
MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions LLC, founded in 1925 and headquartered in Mundelein, Illinois, is a global American manufacturer of additive, engineered, fastener, and plastic solutions, primarily catering to the automotive industry. The company performs various manufacturing capabilities, including computer numerical control (CNC) and screw machining, injection and insert molding, as well as precision grinding. Its products are offered under various brand names, such as Whiz-Lock, Threadstrong, Securex, and Axilok for fasteners, along with Mack-Lock, Uni-Torque, and Two Way for lock nuts. These products find applications across various sectors, including agriculture, construction vehicles, heavy-duty trucks and trailers, industrial engines and motors, and tool manufacturing.
Empower Manufacturing, LLC., established in 1978, is an American manufacturer of precision-machined industrial shafts based in Moraine, Ohio. The company’s portfolio includes custom, pump, motor, and specialty shafts. These shafts, made from carbon steels, duplex stainless steels, cobalt and nickel alloys, synchronize all rotating mechanical elements that often run continuously. The company also produces ground sleeves, such as hook and shaft sleeves, as protective layers to prevent wear and corrosion on shafts. These products find applications in various industries, including agriculture, chemical, construction, petrochemical, and refrigeration. Some of the company’s notable costumers include Gusher Pumps, Rotex Global, LLC, and Siemens AG.
Amtech Manufacturing, Inc., established in 1995 with facilities in North America, is a contract manufacturer of gear parts and drive components. The company's products include gears, shafts, castings, forgings, and screw machine parts. Amtech Manufacturing, Inc. also offers flexplate Assemblies, flywheel Assemblies, screw machining, stamping, and fineblanking. The company also offers custom manufacturing, machining, engineering, and laser cutting services. Amtech Manufacturing, Inc. services original equipment manufacturers in the automotive, construction, marine, power sports, and robotics markets.
American Citizens Corporation is a manufacturer of precision-machined components, established in 1997 and located in Racine, Wisconsin. The company offers computer numerical control (CNC) Swiss or screw machining services to produce components with large length-to-diameter ratios. Another of the company's capabilities is precision grinding with tight tolerances, employing machines with cylinder and centerless grinders that can be configured for through-feed or in-feed applications. It also provides manufacturing and mechanical engineering services, including product design and prototyping, as well as CNC machining and turning simulations. The company serves various industries, including construction equipment, computer-peripheral equipment, electronics, and firearms, as well as government agencies.
TORIN Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of springs and wire forms that was established in 1965 in Nebraska, USA. The company produces various types of springs, including torsion springs that resist twisting, flat springs that can be made in complex shapes, and compression spring models for resisting compressive forces or energy storage purposes. The company also provides additional support, such as contract manufacturing, testing, and finishing services. Some of its notable clients are Raytheon, Ford, and Medtronic.
ASG is a division of Jergens, Inc., was founded in 1976, and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. ASG both manufactures and distributes solutions for assembly including precision torque and angle DC electric fastener systems. ASG is ISO 9001:2015 certified. ASG groups include ASG Express, ASG Precision Fastening, ASG Automation, and ASG Integrated Services. Together they specialize in electric and manual screwdrivers, production aides, tool accessories, air motors, pneumatic torque control tools, pulse tools, torque wrenches, current control tool systems, automation systems, auto feed systems, air grippers, torque arms, screwdrivers & nutrunners for automation, and peripheral automation equipment.
Cook-Leitch Inc. was incorporated in 1964 and serves as a distributor for engineered components and metal finishing solutions. Cook-Leitch serves a number of industries including home & commercial appliances, aerospace & defense, automotive, agriculture, fluid power & hydraulics, distribution, and heavy truck & construction equipment. Some of Cook-Leitch’s product categories include powdered metal featuring Eastern Sintered Alloys, screw machine/complex shafts featuring Precision Capital LTD, springs/wire forms/stampings featuring Wire products company, split seam tubes featuring Baker Stamping, fasteners featuring Vasco Inc, and metal finishing featuring Decal Metal Finishing, Hale Performance Coatings, and Whitaker Finishing.
Sinotech is based in Portland, Oregon with offices in China. Sinotech is a distributor for custom-engineered electrical motors, motor components, and mechanical components manufactured in China. Sinotech’s motors include AC motors, DC motors, brushless DC motors, slotless high speed BLDC motors, stepper motors, cordless motors, gear motors, servo motors, and miniature motors. Motor components include laminations, wound coils, armature and field coils, brushes, and communicators. Mechanical components include assemblies, die castings, investment castings, sand castings, shafts, steamed metal parts, tubular metal parts, machined extrusions, plastic parts, rubber parts, and secondary processing.
Miki Pulley Co., Ltd., founded in 1939, is a manufacturer and provider of solutions for power transmission and control problems, headquartered in Kawasaki City, Japan. They manufacture various products essential for all industries, including couplings for high-precision power transmission, electromagnetic clutches and brakes for power transmission when energized, and speed changers and reducers for controlling the speed of machinery. They also offer inverters, linear shaft drives, rotation speed indicators, torque limiters, and ROSTA rubber springs.
Fargo Drives, a subsidiary of Verhoeven International founded in 2021, is a manufacturer based in Maarheeze, The Netherlands, engaging in travel drive productions for crawler undercarriages. The company’s products include electric and hydraulic final drives for installation in tracked vehicles, commonly applied in agriculture, autonomous robots, construction, mining, and indoor logistic industries. Various related components are also available, such as sun gears and motor shafts, which are interconnected through gear connections, as well as lifetime seals, made from two steel rings with planed sides that rotate over each other. The company also offers diagnostic, and repair services for final drives.
BK Hobbies is the retail division of BK Designs LLC, an American supplier of radio-controlled (RC) helicopter products, established in 2013 and headquartered in Eustis, Florida. In 2017, the company entered into a joint partnership with SAB USA, an American manufacturer of RC helicopters, to primarily offer its products. Besides these products, the company offers RC helicopter-related items from other brands such as BK Servo, Switch Rotorblades, Theta Servos, and Xnova motors, which include batteries, main and tail blades, motors and motor shafts, as well as servos. Other electronics like Flybarless (FBL) systems are also available to increase power and performance.
AccuRounds, founded in Avon, MA, in 1976 is a manufacturer of precision turned components with critical tolerances. The company's product portfolio includes CNC Swiss Screw Machining, CNC Turning, Precision Grinding, Lean Manufacturing, and Superior Services. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. They also provide services including product selection, installation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. In 2006, the company won The Northeast Shingo Prize, becoming the first contract metalworking company in North America.
High Performance Alloys, Inc., founded in 1984 and based in Great Lakes, Midwestern US, is a manufacturer and supplier of alloys. The company offers a range of products, including advanced alloys for various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas. The company is known for its quality alloys that provide incomparable strength, durability, and resistance to extreme conditions. They also provide excellent customer services, including technical support and customized solutions, catering to diverse manufacturing needs. High Performance Alloys, Inc. remains enthusiastic to delivering materials that drive progress and efficiency in multiple sectors.
NIPPON PULSE MOTOR Co., Ltd. established in 1952 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision motion control products. The company's product range includes controllers, drivers, various motors, industrial fields, and mechatronic systems. These products find their application in valves/fluid control, medical and analytical instruments, industrial machinery, and semiconductor manufacturing. It serves industries such as industrial machines, semiconductor manufacturing, valve mechanisms, and medical analytical instruments. Its services include product design, manufacturing, global distribution, and technical support.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Nanotec Electronic U.S. Inc. |
11.3%
|
2 | MacLean-Fogg |
9.2%
|
3 | ROMCO Mfg Inc |
8.1%
|
4 | Empower Mfg |
7.8%
|
5 | AmTech OEM |
7.1%
|
6 | TORIN Products, Inc. |
7.1%
|
7 | ASG, Division of Jergens, Inc. |
6.7%
|
8 | Innov8tive Designs |
6.0%
|
9 | American Citizens Corporation |
6.0%
|
10 | Cook-Leitch Inc. |
6.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the motor shaft page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 11 | 78.6% |
Japan | 2 | 14.3% |
Netherlands | 1 | 7.1% |