This section provides an overview for motion controllers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 35 motion controller manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked motion controller companies as of November, 2024: 1.Industrial Controls Automation, 2.PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., 3.Regal Rexnord Corporation.
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A motion controller is a device that controls the motion of equipment driven by servomotors or other devices.
The user programs the motion to be realized in advance, and the motion controller executes it to control the motion of the equipment.
Motion controllers are used to control equipment driven by servomotors or linear motors. Therefore, they are applied to industrial robots and machine tools.
Specific applications are as follows:
The principle of motion controllers differs depending on the output method.
Typical output methods are as follows:
The common pulse method controls a motor with a rotation direction signal and a pulse driving command. The rotation direction signal controls forward and reverse rotation direction, and the pulse driving signal drives the motor.
The 2-directional pulse system is a system that controls the motor with two commands: an FWD pulse operation command and an REV pulse operation command. The motor is driven forward by an FWD pulse operation command and reversed by an REV pulse operation command.
The phase difference input method determines the direction of rotation based on the phase difference between two pulse signals. Forward rotation is made when the reference pulse signal advances 90° and reverse rotation is made when the reference pulse signal lags 90°.
Interpolation control is important when selecting a motion controller. Interpolation control is a method of synchronized control between multiple axes. There are two types of motion controllers: direct interpolation and circular interpolation.
Linear interpolation is a control in which two motors are controlled simultaneously to move linearly to the desired position. The CPU performs calculations and control so that the motion moves in a straight line in a diagonal direction, rather than moving horizontally and then vertically. Since linear interpolation enables a linear move in the diagonal direction, the time required for positioning can be shortened.
Circular interpolation is a control method in which the CPU calculates the movement to draw a circular arc when two motors are controlled simultaneously. Since the movement path is not linear, it takes longer to reach the target position than with linear interpolation. However, by using arc interpolation, it is possible to avoid obstacles on the route.
Motion controllers are similar to PLCs in that they automatically control equipment with user-custom programs. Motion controllers are unique in that they are better suited to control servo systems.
Motion controllers are often used for motion control instead of PLCs. One advantage of motion controllers is that they are suited for controlling multiple axes and synchronization when the total number of axes is large.
While PLCs are limited in the number of axes that can be controlled by a single PLC, motion controllers can control far more axes than that. For this reason, motion controllers are used in industrial machine tools and robots that require precise, multi-axis control.
The principle of PLCs and motion controllers differs in the method of processing in the CPU: PLCs are multitasking controllers that read all lines of the program each time they are executed and execute all lines at once. Therefore, the time required to read all lines of the program is the rate-limiting factor, and not enough computing time is available to perform complex control operations.
Motion controllers differ from PLCs in that the program is read and executed one line at a time. Therefore, compared to PLCs, the arithmetic processing required for one task is shorter, enabling high-speed processing.
In addition, the processing time of a single line of a motion controller is not affected by the increase in program capacity. Therefore, motion controllers can process complex systems such as servo motors at higher speeds.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Regal Rexnord Corporation, established in October 2021 as a combination company of Regal and Rexnord, is a manufacturer and service provider of motors and conversion systems. Its parent companies have over 125 years of industry experience, with its products powering HVAC systems, smart buildings, agricultural and food service equipment, and conveyor systems. As a producer of motors and related components, Regal Rexnord supports various industries such as healthcare, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical production. Their global presence spans over 220 sites, and their product range and services include AC/DC drives, bearings, blowers, conveyor technologies, and predictive maintenance solutions.
Siemens USA was established in Washington D.C. in 1988, and is the American branch of Siemens AG, the German manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of automation, electrification, and digitalization products established in 1847. The company’s extensive product portfolio includes smart infrastructure products, power generation and transmission products such as gas turbines and transformers, and medical imaging as well as laboratory diagnostics products such as CT scanners and MRI machines. It also offers mobility products and automation management software. The company operates throughout North and South America, and is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and OHSAS 18001 standards.
UC INSTRUMENTS CORP, based in Fremont, CA is a manufacturer of telecom and network measurement instruments for various industries. The company provides laser sources, large dynamic range optical power meters, optical attenuators, polarization controllers, and, AWG/WSS automation test systems along with tunable laser & semiconductor lasers, hand-held testing instruments, fiber end-face test instruments, laser cutting&drilling systems that have applications in the Telecommunication, Electronics, Optics, and Laser technology sectors. They also offer services including laser microdissection, UV titling, Intra-glass & glass surface marking, and, general UV marking, as well as wafer inspection & marking, metal marking, and thin-film scribing.
Physik Instrumente aka PI, founded 50 years ago, is a private company that creates and produces automation systems, including hexapods, air bearings, and piezo drives that are used in life-sciences, photonics, and aerospace industries and research institutes. Their products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia. Physik Instrumente is ITAR registered. The company's head office is located in Auburn, America. And its manufacturing and other facilities are located in New England.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial, one division of Curtiss-Wright, originally founded in 1929 with its headquarters in the USA, is an integrated manufacturer of precision-engineered products and systems. The company, which includes the legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology, and Williams Controls, primarily serves the aerospace, defense, and naval markets worldwide. Products include power electronics, motor controllers, joystick controls, and industrial sensors. With manufacturing facilities in the USA, the United Kingdom, China, and India, Curtiss-Wright Industrial also provides support services for critical applications and system overhauls.
Industrial Controls Automation (ICA) is an American contract manufacturer and service provider specializing in automation and control solutions since 2019. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the company handles the engineering, installation, and programming needs of customers utilizing human machine interfaces (HMIs), programming logic controllers (PLCs), and variable frequency drives (VFDs) — as well as various sensors and related software. ICA has served clients including the Duke Energy Company, General Motors, and PepsiCo.
Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) was established in 1985 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company is a manufacturer of motion control products for OEMs and other customers across industries ranging from aerospace, astronomy, manufacturing, medical, and semiconductors. The company provides in-house components manufacturing with a wide variety of components available off the shelf and the ability to custom-build sub-assemblies for customers worldwide. The company’s product lines include motor control systems, motorized stages, and solenoid control electronics.
Moog Inc. was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York. The company designs manufactures and integrates precision motion and fluid controls and control systems for customers including OEMS in industries such as aerospace, defense, industrial machinery, motorsports, and construction. The company’s product offerings include both systems and components. Examples of systems include actuation systems, naval systems, turreted weapon systems, and space vehicles. Examples of components include manifolds, slip rings, actuators, and servo actuators.
AEROTECH creates solutions for motion and positioning of devices. Customers are from industries as diverse as data storage, medical devices, and aerospace. AEROTECH develops controllers, drives, motors, and other parts for motion and positioning devices and offers custom-engineered motion systems. AEROTECH’s serves both manufacturers of individual parts as well as equipment operators offering full range of support rom design to manufacturing to deployment.
Founded in Rocklin, CA, Galil is a leading supplier of motion controllers for customers across numerous industries from semiconductors to machinery, to automotive, to the arts. Galil also creates programmable logic controllers (PLC) and specialized multi-axis motion controllers. Galil makes both standard designs as well as custom designs for individual customer needs.
FANUC Corporation, established in 1972 and headquartered in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer of factory automation, robomachine, IoT, and robotics. The company offers an extensive and diversified product portfolio including, servomotor, robodrill small cutting machine, roboshot electric injection molding machine, robocut wire electrical discharge machine, and lasers. These cutting-edge products cater to a wide range of industries, spanning from automotive, health care, and aerospace to electronics. The aim of the company is to provide efficient and low-cost products to customers.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) was established in 1888. SHI offers complete solutions for industrial machinery production and operations, heavy machinery for infrastructure, logistics, and construction, power generation systems as well as systems to reduce pollution, water purification, and ship construction. In addition, SHI also offers various software services including IT solutions.
ADLINK Technology Inc., founded in 1995 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of products for embedded computing, test and measurement, and automation applications. Their product line includes computer-on-modules, industrial motherboards, data acquisition modules, and complete systems, which are designed to drive data-to-decision applications across industries, improving production capabilities and also increasing operational efficiency. They also offer comprehensive industrial-grade smart panels and also monitors with customization through their one-stop solution service.
Mitsubishi Electric was established in Japan in 1921 and headquartered in Tokyo. The company’s Semiconductors & Devices division is a manufacturer of products serving several industries ranging from home appliances and automotive to renewable energy and optical fiber communication. The company’s products are divided into 4 product segments: power devices, high-frequency devices, optical devices, and infrared sensors. Power devices encompass motion controls, most home appliances, and SiC applications. High-frequency devices include satellite communications systems, radios, and base transceiver stations. Optical devices include projector light sources and optical fiber communication. Infrared sensing systems include MeIDIR thermal sensors.
SANYO DENKI Europe was established in 1988 in France as the European subsidy of SANYO DENKI CO., LTD of Japan. The company is a manufacturer of components used in mechanization, computing, and public utilities. The company operates in three operating segments: Cooling Systems, Power Systems, and Servo Systems. Cooling Systems develops, manufactures, and sells cooling fans and cooling systems. Power Systems develops and manufactures UPS, engine generators, and solar energy power conditioners. Servo Systems develops, manufactures, and sells servo motors, stepping motors, drive units, and control systems.
SEW-EURODRIVE, founded in 1931 and headquartered in Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of drive automation solutions. The company offers an extensive product portfolio including gearmotors, frequency inverters, servo drives, industrial gears, and motors, catering to various industries like automotive, food and beverage, mining, and more. SEW-EURODRIVE's drive solutions are utilized in many applications, such as conveyor systems, lifting equipment, agitators, and mixers, contributing to increased efficiency and productivity. The company aims to provide unique and quality solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers, empowering industries with cutting-edge drive technology.
Cognito Quam Electrotechnologies Ltd was established in 1990 as a manufacturer and supplier of industrial electronics and is based in Greece. The company excels in providing process control and automation systems, as well as robotics and motion control technology and the extensive product range includes power electronics, test and measurement tools, signal interfacing, and conversion devices. The power electronics are for the management and utilization of all energy resources as the Mistral ventilation control addresses the needs of the catering and food preparation environment, the humidity/moisture sensors measure humidity whereas the elevation lift control system processes the lift operation.
Jetter AG, established in 1979 and headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial automation solutions. The company's product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), industrial PCs, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and motion control systems, designed to streamline and optimize industrial processes. Jetter's cutting-edge automation technologies are used across various industries, including automotive, packaging, and manufacturing. Jetter AG aims to create a good and unique automation solutions that enable businesses to succeed with an interest in constant improvement and client satisfaction.
esitron-electronic GmbH was established in 1989, in Germany as a manufacturer of controls. The company deals in products that are used to control the positioning of devices in the industry of automation technology such as they have Motion Controllers, Cam Controllers, and Digital Panels that enable the display of numbers, symbols, graphics, and text for displaying variables and data such as weight, pressure, speed, and temperature. There are also Signal converters that have applications where level conditioning and conversion of encoder signals is required.
JTEKT was born from the merger of bearing maker Koyo Seiko and machine tool maker Toyoda Machine Works. JTEKT focuses on environmental sustainability to create automotive-specific components as well as industry-agnostic components including sensors, gears, displays, storage devices, and hydraulic units. JTEKT also creates and designs machine tools and equipment necessary for machine production. JTEKT is also developing "internet of everything" (IoE) solutions for modern industry.
ICP DAS Co. Ltd., established in 1993 and headquartered in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of automation products and solutions. Operating in over 100 countries, the company is engaged in developing a wide range of products, including remote I/O controllers, distributed I/O modules, I/O data acquisition boards, programmable automation controllers, and industrial communication modules. The company provides its services in several regions such as the United States, Europe, and China, ensuring its products meet the needs of a global industrial automation clientele.
Advantech was established in 1981 and is a manufacturer and supplier of embedded computing and intelligent connectivity system solutions based in Taiwan. The company offers various IoT hardware and software solution products, including arm-based computing platforms, industrial display systems, advanced video appliances, wireless industrial automation sensors, and industrial ethernet switches. The products created by the company have been certified with REACH Compliance certificate. The company has partnered in the WISE-Marketplace Ecosystem with other businesses, including Anewtech Systems, Ibcon, Mirai Electronics, Lubi Electronics, and BioEnergy Projects Sdn Bhd.
SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. was founded in 1927 and is a manufacturer and supplier of cooling systems, power systems, and servo systems based in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. The company manufactures various electronic systems such as DC cooling fan, measuring device, power management products, static transfer switch, and AC servo systems. Various field of industry have been using the products, such as electronic manufacturing, financial, solar energy, medical, and robotic industries. The company has certified with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018. The company has reached various accomplishments such as awarded winner in Good Design Award 2023.
Wise Solutions is associated with Advantech which was established in 1983 and is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, and designs and supplies intelligent IoT (Internet of Things) solutions to businesses all over the world. The company provides hardware devices, software platforms, and cloud services for industrial automation, intelligent transportation, healthcare, retail, and energy management. Their clientele also includes manufacturers, system integrators, solution providers, and end-users. Their services are designed to enable companies to connect, manage, and analyze data from diverse devices and sensors and the end users gain more safety in their work.
Motion X Corporation was established in 2002 by a group of industry professionals with extensive applied experience in designing, manufacturing, and supporting turnkey motion control systems and subsystems. The company is headquartered in Goleta, California near the University of California, Santa Barbara. The company is a designer and manufacturer of motional control systems and provider of motion control services for customers worldwide, serving industries including semiconductor, data storage, aerospace, microscopy, and photonics. The company also performs contract manufacturing services, fulfilling outsourcing manufacturing requests.
Founded in New York in 1916, Kollmorgen designs and manufactures motion system, drives, motors, actuators, gear heads, automated guided vehicle (AVG) systems, and accessories across a number of implementations and industries. These include aerospace, AGV, food&beverage, machine tools, metal forming, medical automation and imaging, energy, packaging, pharmaceutical, postal sorting, printing, robotics, smart warehouses, and tire and rubber production. Kollmorgen assists customers both in custom designs and in allowing customers to design their own devices based on individual needs.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwakee, WI. Rockwell Automation provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions around the world. Rockwell Automation operates through their intelligent devices, software & control, and lifecycle services segments with both hardware and software products and services. The Intelligent Devices segment offers drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & Control segment provides control and visualization software and hardware, information software, and network and security infrastructure solutions. The Lifecycle Services segment provides consulting, professional services and solutions, and connected and maintenance services through independent distributors.
Delta Electronics was founded in 1971 in Taipei, Taiwan. Delta Electronics is a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, serving power electronics, automation, and infrastructure. Delta’s power electronics division sells components such as inductors, power and system components such as industrial power supplies and external adapters, fans and thermal management such as DC brushless fans and motors, and automotive electronics. Automation includes industrial automation and building automation subdivisions. Infrastructure includes ICT infrastructure, energy infrastructure & industrial solutions, and display & visualization. Delta Electronics also provides solutions for data center, telecom energy, and EV charging.
FANUC Corporation was established in 1956 and is headquartered in Japan, manufacturing of industrial robots, CNC systems, and related automation technologies. The company produces products that include industrial robots, CRX Cobots, Lasers, IoT Solutions, and various CNC systems for machine tools. These systems and technologies find applications in a broad range of industries, including automotive manufacturing, aerospace and defense, electronics production, and metalworking. They also help with automated repetitive tasks, performing complex assembly operations, and handling hazardous materials for medical device manufacturing, consumer goods products, and many more industrial applications.
NOVA electronics, Inc. focuses exclusively on motion control. NOVA creates full motion control solutions including hardware and software. Components include motion control integrated circuits, boards, controllers, and drives.
OMRON Industrial Automation is the UK branch of OMRON, originally founded in Japan in 1933. OMRON Industrial Automation serves food and beverage industry, panel board design, automotive manufacturing industries among others. OMRON Industrial Automation products categories include automation systems such as industrial PCs and human machine interfaces (HMI), safety such as safety switches and safety logic control systems, switching components such as solid state relays, motion & drives such as motion controllers, sensing such as photoelectric sensors, software, robotics, quality control & inspection systems, as well as control components including power supplies and digital panel indicators.
Elmo Motion Control is headquartered in Israel and has offices globally. As per its namesake, Elmo motion control servos, drives, controllers, software and more for customers across a wide array of industries. These include medical, packaging, robotics, laboratory automation, semiconductors, laser processing, and aerospace. Elmo also offers products designed for underwater systems, harsh environments, and warehouse management.
Techno Drive, founded in 1993 and located in Kanagawa, Japan is a manufacturer of motor drive systems. The company specializes in the production of programmable drivers, motion controls, stepping motors, factory automation systems, auto-focus systems, and automated alignment systems. The company manufactures the drivers with bipolar motors. The motion controllers designed by the company come with 1-axis and 2-axis. The company works and designs its products with micro-stepping technology to develop motor drive systems, and the products are compact, and offer low vibration and precision positioning.
Ideal Aerosmith was founded in 1938 and is based in Grand Forks, ND is a supplier of motion testing hardware & software, precision inertial guidance test systems, and flight motion simulators to various industries, primarily for the aerospace industry. The company provides rate & positioning tables, centrifuges, linear & rotary hydraulic actuators, three & five-axis flight motion simulators, and aircraft instrument test equipment, for the aerospace, defense, petroleum, and automotive industries. They also offer system design & integration, repair & calibration services, custom hardware & software design, test & motion system manufacturing, and Accelerometer Testing facilities.
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 November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Industrial Controls Automation |
10.9%
|
2 | PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. |
9.3%
|
3 | Regal Rexnord Corporation |
7.8%
|
4 | Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. |
7.1%
|
5 | Siemens USA |
6.3%
|
6 | MOOG |
6.2%
|
7 | Galil Motion Control |
5.6%
|
8 | UC INSTRUMENTS CORP. |
5.5%
|
9 | Aerotech, Inc. |
4.5%
|
10 | Curtiss-Wright Corporation |
4.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the motion controller 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 | 10 | 41.7% |
Japan | 6 | 25.0% |
Germany | 3 | 12.5% |
Taiwan | 2 | 8.3% |
France | 1 | 4.2% |
Belgium | 1 | 4.2% |
Greece | 1 | 4.2% |
22 products are listed.
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
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Last viewed: 11 hours ago
The MC8581P is a circuit board equipped with two PCI buses and MC8581PE, which is compatible with PCI Express x 1, a 4 -axis motor control IC "MCX5...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
The MR540/580 is a USB/LAN connection compatible motion control board equipped with a 4 -axis motion control with an interpolation function. The M...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
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MC8543PEL is a LowProfile compatible motion control board that can be mounted on a slim type desktop computer. Equipped with a 4 -axis motor cont...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
40+ people viewing
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The MC8541P is a circuit board equipped with a 4-axis motor control IC "MCX514" with an interpolation function that supports PCI-Express X1. You ca...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
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The MCX514 is a 4 -axis motion control IC that can connect to the top CPU, 8 -bit, 16 -bit baths and I2C serial interface buses to position and con...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
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The MCX512 is a two -axis motion control IC that can connect to the top CPU, 8 -bit, 16 -bit bath and I2C serial interface bus, and use pulse -row ...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
The MCX501 is a single -axis motion control IC that positions or controls the pulse column servo motor and stepping motor. This IC eliminates the s...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
MR210AU/220AU is a unit that is equipped with a motor control IC "MCX302" to position pulse column input or stepping motor or control or speed. B...
Higashi -Saka Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
120+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
Quiet ■ Functions / features ・ Realize low vibration in a wide range of speed by automatically switching the optimal chopping method at its own ro...
NOVA Electronics, Inc.
50+ people viewing
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The MD5230D is a 2 -axis motion control unit with a 5 -phase stepping motor driver equipped with a high -performance 4 -axis motion control IC MCX5...
Higashi -Saka Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
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■ Various lineups We have a wide variety of products specializing in low vibration and small motors. ■ Release of new models New models are releas...
Mobencis
30+ people viewing
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"WMX3" is an Etherncat -based soft motion controller developed by the Company based on mass production of manufacturing equipment in all industries...
Higashi -Saka Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
■ Various lineups We have a wide variety of products specializing in low vibration and small motors. ■ Release of new models New models are releas...
Higashi -Saka Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
■ The size of the industry's smallest class ·Features Available in the conventional product (EPI-01) compared to the area compared to a compared ar...
Higashi -Saka Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
■ Characteristics ・ Lightweight compact (business card size), low cost, high -performance polar brushless motor, controller ・ All operation setti...
NPM High Technologies Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
Application: General industry, medical care, robot ■ Features ・ Platinum maestro is an ELMO latest generation motion controller. ・ Multi -axis s...