One year after Beckhoff Automation announced the formation of a joint venture to produce servomotors, it has unveiled the operation’s first product – a range of rotary synchronous servomotors which, it claims, are about 10% more efficient than conventional servomotors. The motors also combine power and feedback in one cable, cutting material and commissioning costs “significantly”.

At last year’s SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany, Beckhoff announced that it was setting up the JV with Erwin Fertig, the founder and former chief executive of Elau. Beckhoff has a 90% stake in the JV, called Fertig Motors.

At this year’s SPS show, Beckhoff is revealing the first fruits of this collaboration. The new AM8000 series motors (above) are characterised by high dynamics and efficiency, and low costs.

When the motors reach the market, in the first quarter of 2012, there will be six sizes, each in two or three lengths, thus providing a wide torque range with overlaps. Users will have a choice between standard and stainless-steel versions, and will be able to select stall torques from 0.9–65Nm.

A modern salient-pole winding technology allows high slot fill factors, while small end-turns and an encapsulated stator provide robustness and good thermal management. The single-cable technology dispenses with the need for a feedback cable. Encoder data, rotor position and thermal status are transmitted via an interference-free digital interface. By eliminating connectors and cables at both the motor and controller ends, substantial savings are possible, says Beckhoff.

The company says it can now offer complete automation systems including PC-based controllers, I/O, drives and motors, all developed and built in-house.