This section provides an overview for motor controllers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 30 motor controller manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked motor controller companies as of September, 2024: 1.Actuonix Motion Devices, 2.AutoVac Industrial Vacuum & Air Systems, 3.Duff-Norton.
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Categories Related to Motor Controllers
A motor controller is a device that controls the operation of a motor.
A motor refers to a device that performs rotary motion. To control the drive of a motor, a control method, control circuit, and drive circuit are required. If a motor is to have only a simple rotary motion, it can be controlled by switching between stop and drive with only a power supply unit.
However, motors are used as driving parts in home appliances, automobiles, machine tools, and other applications that require more complex driving than simple stop-and-drive alone. The speed and direction of rotation must be changed to match the motion.
Therefore, various signals are received from sensors and switches, etc., and signal processing is performed to determine the appropriate response. Then, by issuing commands to the motor drive circuit, the number of revolutions, direction, speed, etc. are controlled.
Familiar applications include vibrators in cellular phones, functions to control airflow in hair dryers in home appliances, and vibrations in electric toothbrushes. On a larger scale, they are used in the drive systems of golf carts, forklifts, and other vehicles powered by electric power.
Industrial controllers smoothly control multi-axis motion. In this case, high-speed and complex high-precision control is required. FA equipment such as semiconductor manufacturing, inspection equipment, and machine tools require accuracies from a few nm to a few micrometers. From such high-precision equipment to simple labor-saving devices, motor controllers are used as the core of motor control.
Motor controllers receive real-time signals from motors sent from sensors and switches, and control the number of revolutions, rotation speed, positioning, etc. by controlling electric power. DC motors and stepping motors are mainly used.
DC motors can change their rotation speed depending on the magnitude of the applied voltage. In the case of a motor controller using a microcontroller, the number of revolutions and direction of rotation can be changed by sending signals from software.
Stepping motors can be controlled by a motor controller for highly precise positioning. It has the feature of not requiring detection of the amount of rotation. Stepping motors rotate in steps of a fixed angle in synchronization with input pulses. The resolution is about 1.8°, 0.72°, and 0.36° per step.
Motor controllers are responsible for some functions of systems that use motors. Therefore, it is important to work with a higher-level controller and downstream motor drivers and motors employed.
A key feature of motor controllers is that, in advanced systems, they are capable of synchronized control of multi-axis motors. Multi-axis synchronous control can, for example, perform complex movements such as linear, circular, step, and rotational motions, cam motions, and acceleration/deceleration in 2-D and 3-D space.
There are several types of motor controllers: independent controllers, controllers for industrial PCs, controllers for PLCs, etc. A PLC is a controller with programmable logic circuits.
This type of control controller can be selected from a PLC, an industrial PC, or a notebook PC for a host controller. It also has the great feature that it can be used independently without a host controller.
This type of controller is often used when constructing small-scale control devices with several axes to medium-scale control devices with several dozen axes. This is the case when precise control on the order of several nm is not required and control on the order of sub-μm is also not necessary.
This is a card type used by inserting it into a PCI slot of an industrial PC. It is used for large-scale, high-speed control where a microcontroller is inadequate.
A wide variety of applications for general-purpose PCs can be used, and high-speed, high-precision control of multi-axis motors can be realized.
PLC controllers are dedicated controllers for PLCs, which enable multi-axis, high-speed synchronized control that is not possible with PLCs alone, and many companies use their communication standards and connection methods for communication with PLCs, making high-speed communication control easy.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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AutoVac Industrial Vacuum & Air Systems, generally known as AutoVac, was founded in 1989 and centered in the town of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. AutoVac serves automotive, aerospace, medical, dental, and industrial manufacturing industries. AutoVac is a designer for manufacturing and production vacuum systems. AutoVac uses CAD to design systems such as factories and industrial production factoring in material cost, installation and operation labor, and electrical usage. Autovac can install or provide installation supervision, commissioning support, and new product development and prototyping.
Duff-Norton is a division of Columbus McKinnon Corp and was originally founded in 1883, now headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duff-Norton is an automation machinery manufacturer for aerospace, defense, automotive, entertainment, pharmaceutical, food processing, paper, energy, rail/road, and energy supply industries. Duff-Norton manufactures standard and customer-designed screw jacks (mechanical actuators), linear actuators (electro-mechanical actuators), modulator actuators, swivel joints, electric cylinders, rotary unions (rotating joints), acme and ball screws, nuts and rail maintenance equipment to customers globally.
Tolomatic was founded in the 1950s and operates out of Hamel, Minnesota. Tolomatic Is a manufacturer of automation components for industries such as aerospace, agriculture, automotive construction, life sciences, semiconductor, and utilities. Tolomatic has three main product lines which are electric linear actuators, pneumatic linear actuators, and power transmissions. Electric linear actuators include rodless electro-mechanical actuators, electric rod actuators, as well as custom & modified products. Pneumatic linear actuators include rodless pneumatic actuators, rod-style pneumatic linear thrusters, and custom & modified products. Power transmission includes roller screws, industrial caliper brakes, industrial gearboxes, and industrial cone clutches.
Barbour Stockwell Inc., established in 1858, and located in Woburn, Massachusetts, is a manufacturer of standard and custom spin testing equipment. Its product line includes test benches, stands, rigs, air or steam turbines and electric motor drives, which serves in industries such as aerospace, oil and gas industries, automotive, power generation, and abrasives. Its products are used in balance, durability, and performance of rotating components like bearings, gears, and shafts, ensuring accurate evaluation of specialized components and high-speed machinery parts. The company holds both AS9100D and ISO 9001:2008 certifications.
Howman Engineering was established in 1987 and is headquartered in Lebanon, New Jersey. The company is a designer and manufacturer of electromechanical controls, primarily serving food service, construction, textile, and steel production industries. The company’s in-house engineering team collaborates with customers to develop custom products to meet precise and niche needs using Design for Manufacturability and Design for Testing procedures. The company’s electromechanical controls products expertise covers printed circuit boards, industrial controls, and cable assemblies.
Velmex, Inc. was founded in 1967 in Bloomfield, New York where it still operates today. The company is a designer and manufacturer of stock and custom linear and rotary motion control positioning equipment for scientific, research, machining, and industrial applications. The company produces 3 unique brands of manual and motor-driven assemblies in Unislide, BiSlide, and XSlide in multiple build-to-order configurations. The company also produces manual and motor-driven XY tables, rotary turntables, as well as VXM motor controls, and VRO encoder readouts.
American Products Inc. was founded in 1983 and is located in York, Pennsylvania. The company is a designer and contract manufacturer of custom electronics for the transportation, construction, medical, architectural, and energy management industries. The company’s two primary services are product development and contract manufacturing. Product development customers are typically experts in fields other than electronics who have a design or need for a design and a supplier to make the design work. As an ISO 9001-2015 certified contract manufacturer, the company provides PCB assembly via surface mount technology as well as other cable manufacturing services.
Motus Labs, LLC., is an American manufacturer of motion control components and products established in 2018 and located in Dallas, Texas. The company produces precision gears that can be customized to customer specifications, and gearbox accessories such as quick integration kits. Its ML2000 series uses a patented gearbox design made to minimize backlash by mating surfaces rather than using conventional gear teeth. Motus Labs' products primarily serve clients in robotics and automation, with additional applications in industrial manufacturing, the medical industry, and the defense sector.
Dart Controls was founded in 1963 and is now headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. The company is a designer and manufacturer of drives, controls, and accessories for electric motors to customers across North America and certain overseas countries. The company implements lean manufacturing with tools and concepts such as Kanban, Kaizen, just-in-time, and Poka-Yoke to improve reliability and reduce costs for customers. The company’s product offerings include digital potentiometers, low-voltage DC, encoders, and multiple types of drives. The company offers packaged total solutions of sensors and drives.
Rochester Electronics, LLC is a manufacturer stocking distributor of end-of-life semiconductors and the broadest range of active semiconductors that is headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1981. The company caters to manufacturing services ranging from design, wafer processing, testing, reliability, and IP Archiving. These specifically include OCM, build-to-order products, process flows, and standard packaging creation. The company pivots on manufacturing and distributing semiconductors that are no longer produced by its original manufacturer.
DEPRAG USA is the Lewisville, Texas-based headquarters of DEPRAG, originally founded in 1931. DEPRAG is a distributor of assembly equipment and tools and industrial machinery. DEPRAG’s product lines include advanced screw driving technology with automatic screwdrivers, sequence controllers, measuring technology, accessories, and individual solution offerings. Other product segments include feeding technology including bowl feeders and sword feeders among others, automation including standardized assembly systems and intelligent manual work stations, air motors featuring vane motors and turbine motors, industrial tools, and “Green Energy Turbines segment featuring energy recovery.
TVW Electronics was established in 1986 and headquartered in Decatur, Alabama. The company is a distributor of electrical supplies for both individual and corporate customers. Suppliers include Easton, Klein Tools, RAB Lighting, Allied Tube & Conduit, and many others. The company’s services include initial product consultation, lighting layout assistance, inventory & rush delivery, and special services for contractors. Product categories vary by market which are commercial, industrial, and industrial. Featured products and services include energy audits to maximize safety, efficiency, and cost savings.
Taylor Material Handling & Conveyor has a 50 year history and operated out of Toledo, Ohio, serving regionally as well as nationwide customers as a distributor for machines and components used in the industrial, material handling, chemical, appliance, automotive, construction, forging, and founding industries. Taylor offers a full line of conveyors ranging from automation conveyors to wire mesh belt conveyors. Taylor also offers below the hook attachments, ergonomic lifting solutions, forklift service lifts, hoists, trolleys, electrifications, product packaging equipment, overhead lifting solutions, packaging automation, warehouse equipment as well as custom equipment.
Gammill Electric, Inc. is an American contract service provider and distributor specializing in electrical construction equipment that was established in Irwindale, California in 1967. The company offers various services for industrial electrical construction projects, including engineering design, installation, maintenance, and mechanical support. They also stock and sell products instrumental to electrical construction projects, such as standard and custom control panels, as well as mobile and standby generators. Gammill Electric has served several notable companies with operations in the industrial sector, including Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical, and Northrop Grumman.
Makersan, established in 1978 and headquartered in Gebze, Turkey, is a manufacturer of mechatronic parts and assemblies. Its offerings include electronic accelerator pedals, hand throttle, ABS sensors, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors for various sectors like engine control, HVAC, and food processing. Its quality management system is underlined by their TS 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and OHSAS 18001 certifications, solidifying their role on the field of sensing, controlling and actuating applications.
Delhi Automation India, established in 2011, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in project-based industrial automation solutions. The company’s range of products includes programmable logic controllers, forging presses, electronic cam controllers, electronic angle indicators, and more. These products find applications in manufacturing and industrial automation, forging and pressing operations as well as other sectors. The company also offers customized solutions to meet requirements as well as after-sales technical support including service and maintenance.
Shenzhen Gozuk Co., Ltd, based in Shenzhen, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in electric motor control systems. The company offers servo drives as well as low voltage variable frequency inverters such as AC motor speed drives, frequency converters, and VFDs. These drives find ideal applications across industries including textiles, pumps, fans, CNC machines, and more. The company also offers customized solutions to meet unique customer requirements. With advanced production facilities and operating under ISO9001:2008 and CE certifications, the company serves diverse markets across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and America.
ZheJiang Unite Motor Co., Ltd., located in Zhejiang Province, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in traction motor drive systems. The company’s range of products includes traction motors and controllers designed for Electric Vehicles (EVs) including brush and brushless motors and DC motor controllers. These products find applications in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, powering EVs and reducing emissions. With ISO9001:2008 management system qualification, CCC(China Compulsory Certificate) and CE certificates, the company adheres to stringent quality standards serving clients locally and internationally.
Ningbo Zhongda Leader Intelligent Transmission Co., Ltd., founded in Zhejiang, China, in 1998 is a manufacturer of motor drives, small and special electric machines. The company's product portfolio includes odor drives encompass a wide range of products, including AC drives, DC drives, and servo drives, AC Motors/Gear Motors, DC Gear Motors and Planetary Gearboxes. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Aviation, and Power Generation. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
Shenzhen V&T Technologies Co., Ltd., established in 2006 and based in Shenzhen, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in Frequency Inverters and power electronic components. The company’s range of products includes Frequency Inverters (Variable frequency drives), Servo Drives, Electric Vehicle Motor Controllers (E-Drive), and Solar pump inverters. The company’s industrial control systems cater to global markets, serving industries such as automotive, manufacturing, and renewable energy. The company offers technical after-sales support, including free online technical assistance during the warranty period and lifetime technical service.
Actuonix Motion Devices was founded in 2004 and is now headquartered in Saanichton, British Columbia. The company is a manufacturer of micro linear actuators and linear servos for several markets including robotics, aerospace, automotive, medical, and radio control. The company offers custom micro linear actuators to OEMs globally. The company’s additional product types include limited switch actuators, PLCs, stepper motor actuators, control boards, and accessories. The company provides an actuator selector tool to assist customers to choose models that meet their needs.
LSI Computer Systems, Inc., founded in 1969 and based in New York, United States, is a manufacturer of semiconductors. The company designs and produces custom and standard integrated circuits. It offers a wide range of products including digital potentiometers, LED Drivers, Incremental Encoder Interface, Timers, and Lighting Controls among others. The company also manufactures development kits such as LS9200 application board with dual strings of LEDs & dual dimming modes, LS7190 and LS9200 development kit for Arduino, and 6 channels LS7366R shield for Arduino among others.
Taizhou Quanshun Electric Drive Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2006 in China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in high-powered electric vehicle drive systems. The company's product portfolio includes a range of electric drive solutions, such as high-powered in-wheel hub motors, mid-drive motors, e-bike spoke motors, e-motorcycle spoke motors, and more. These products serve as integral components in electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and cars. The company operates internationally under the sub-brand SiAECOSYS, providing electric motor and motor kits for two, three, and four-wheel electric vehicles. The company holds ISO9001:2008, CE and other certifications.
Smart Automation, founded in 2012, is a manufacturer and supplier based in Changzhou City, China, specializing in DC motors. The company portfolio includes brushed and brushless DC motors, along with stepper motors, tailored to meet diverse industry needs. The company’s range of products find applications in sectors such as office automation, medical instruments, automotive, and more. With ISO 9001:2008 certification and customization options for clients with specific requirements, the company provides flexible solutions to customers in Europe, North America, and beyond.
ABB E-mobility provides electric vehicle charging solutions for customers around the globe. ABB E-mobility offers DC fast chargers as well as AC chargers with focus on reliability and uptime. Since 2010, ABB E-mobility has sold over 50,000 DC fast chargers and over 1 million total AC chargers. ABB E-mobility offers home single and multi-charge units, retail, workplace, and hospitality charge units, electric vehicle fleet sales, as well as public transportation. Additionally, numerous digital solutions and software services are available.
Trombetta, Inc. is an American ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of DC power switching and related power management products that was established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1932. The company offers controller area network (CAN) devices for automotive or industrial systems, DC contactors for high current switching up to 48VDC, and power splitters for power distribution applications. It also offers digital switching systems, voltage regulators, and industrial work solenoids. The company’s products are commonly used in heavy machinery, power sports such as motocross racing, and the electric vehicles industry.
NTI AG, founded in 1993, and headquartered in Spreitenbach, Switzerland, and is a manufacturer of LinMot linear motion systems and components. The company offers a wide range of products, including linear motors, linear actuators, servo drives, and control systems. These products are easily integrated into all leading control systems, and are designed to offer high-speed, high-force, and accurate positioning capabilities, making them suitable for tasks like automation, packaging, material handling, robotics, and other motion control applications.
Hybrid Electronics is a global distribution specialist of electronic components, with access to over 50 million unique components. Among the markets HE serves are the aerospace, automotive, communications, defense, industrial, medical, national security, and test & measurement industries. In addition to components, HE also provides quality and compliance testing, counterfeit detection, upscreening, and other forms of quality control. Examples of component subtypes that HE offers include ICs, batteries, capacitors, semiconductor products, sensors, circuit protection, interconnectors, filters, optoelectronics, relays, switches, power supplies, and cables and cable assemblies.
AutomationDirect.com was founded in 1994 to provide solutions for the industrial automation market and has been growing its list of offerings ever since. AutomationDirects’ extensive catalog includes individual components such as cables, various controls, I/O devices, relays, gauges, fittings, and sensors to complete systems. Many parts and devices, especially PLC units are customizable. AutomationDirect.com also provides support via video instructions, online manuals, a learning library, an active community forum to further assist customers.
Ranking as of September 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Actuonix Motion Devices |
5.8%
|
2 | AutoVac Industrial Vacuum & Air Systems |
5.8%
|
3 | Duff-Norton |
5.5%
|
4 | Barbour Stockwell Inc. |
5.0%
|
5 | Howman Engineering |
4.7%
|
6 | Tolomatic, Inc. |
4.5%
|
7 | Motus Labs, LLC., |
4.5%
|
8 | LinMot USA Inc. |
4.5%
|
9 | Trombetta, Inc. |
4.5%
|
10 | Dart Controls, Inc. |
4.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the motor controller page as of September 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 (%) |
---|---|---|
![]() |
14 | 63.6% |
![]() |
5 | 22.7% |
![]() |
1 | 4.5% |
![]() |
1 | 4.5% |
![]() |
1 | 4.5% |
12 products are listed.
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