Latest Servo Drive Guide — Types and Applications

The servo drive is a device used to run and power together with an electric motor. Siemens servo drive utilizes AC or DC for giving feedback and fixing the errors when controlling the motions of the motor through customer settings. Servo Drives are utilized in various industries such as marine, automotive, aircraft, and robotics. It offers the best level of mechanical consistency as it runs in conjunction with the motor in a coordinated manner.

This article by CM Industry Supply Automation professionals will give the basic insight into servo drives and their types used in different appliances. As we are aware that Servo drives can be used in various applications, there are many things to know about them. However, we will keep everything simple and understandable here. We will simply inform you about the basics of servo drive basics and its most common applications.

The most common types of servo include a small monitor, circuit board, and a reduction gear placed within“housing”. They are reliant on an external power supply and a potentiometer, or at least a variable resistor for setting control. An individual sets the potentiometer, and as a result, the device will make every effort to keep similar settings irrespective of outside forces.

To establish control, the servos generally use three wires such as ground, power, and command. Generally, a pulse width modulation signal is sent via command wire and the pulse width decides its position. Servo usually holds the position when the pulse is sent at an equivalent number of motions per second. After completing the motion, the servo will try to meet the preferred position and the real position by rotating the motor either right or left. It will try to adjust itself to complete disturbing influences and try to reach the desired position. This is called the closed-loop control system.

The main applications of servo drives are utilized on most of the things dependent on an electric motor such as aircraft control, robotics, camera autofocus, navigation systems, remote toy cars, etc. Manufacturers categorize types of servo drives based on their weight, robustness, and most significantly — size. For example, you can check out Lenze Servo Motors or Servo Drives — Lenze 8400 Topline Inverter. Servo Drives are classified into four sub-categories, which are as follows:

Micro servo — Micro servo is compact and reasonably priced. They are often used for toys and tiny hobby crafts. Because micro servos are compact, low-priced, and lightweight, thus they are best for these applications.

Standard servo — Most usually utilized in smaller robots, remote control vehicles, and bigger hobby planes.

Heavy servo — Heavy servo is generally utilized in small to medium robotics. They are quite durable and mainly utilized for smaller aircraft, cars, many military applications, and law enforcement.

Robotics servo — Robotics servo types are found on top of the chain. They are normally utilized for cruise ships, commercial aircraft, large-size robotics, spacecraft, and many other applications. Robotics servos are made of strong materials such as titanium and are comparatively more expensive.