PRODUCT

AC Servo Drives

AC servo drives provide precise speed and position control in dynamic industrial motion systems, ensuring accurate automation performance across a wide range of applications.

What Is an AC Servo Drive?

An AC servo drive is a control device designed to manage AC servo motors with high precision. By continuously monitoring and adjusting torque, speed, and position through a feedback loop, it ensures accurate and reliable motion control. AC servo drives are critical for high-speed, high-accuracy machinery, enabling smooth operation in applications such as robotics, CNC machines, packaging systems, and industrial automation lines, where precise positioning and responsive control are essential for optimal performance and efficiency.

Key Benefits of AC Servo Drives

AC servo drives offer precise, responsive, and efficient motor control, making them ideal for modern industrial automation and high-performance machinery.

Precision Motion & Control

Ensure accurate positioning, smooth acceleration, and consistent speed, critical for applications requiring high precision and repeatability.

Dynamic Performance

Deliver fast response times and excellent torque control, supporting rapid movements and complex motion profiles in demanding production environments.

Energy Efficiency

Optimise power usage with intelligent feedback and control, reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

Compact & Flexible Options

Available in space-saving designs with adaptable configurations, making them suitable for varied machinery layouts and installation requirements.

Explore Our AC Servo Drive Range

YT Automation offers a comprehensive range of AC servo drives designed for precision motion control and industrial automation. Our drives deliver high performance, reliability, and flexibility, suitable for applications from robotics and CNC machines to packaging lines and OEM machinery, ensuring smooth operation and optimal efficiency across diverse industrial setups.

Servo Drive & Motors

Servo Made Simple. Eliminate Complexity.

✔ Drives: single and three-phase grid support, robotic cables available
✔ Wide servo power range – 0.05kW up to 7.5 kW (0.06-10 HP)
✔ Motors: low and medium inertia
✔ 23-bit built-in high-resolution absolute encoders
✔ IP65 and IP67

✔ Built-in braking resistors
✔ Comprehensive Protection: motor overheating, short-circuit protection, DB braking fault and more
✔ Built-in STO
✔ Zero stacking installation
✔ 350% momentary maximum torque
✔ Auto-tuning

MOTION CONTROL

Servo Drive & Motors

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

High performance, cost effective VFDs, ideal for both machines & process control. Unitronics VFDs offer options for both single and three phase VFDs from 0.4 kW and up to 500 kW.
Use as stand-alone inverters—or optimize your applications with a complete All-in-One package with our controllers and free, Ready-made Motion code.

AC Servo Drive Features & Specs Buyers Look For

When selecting an AC servo drive, key features and specifications ensure reliable performance, precise control, and system compatibility across industrial applications.

Power & Voltage Ratings

Choose drives that match your motor’s voltage and power requirements to ensure optimal performance and prevent overloads.

Feedback Compatibility

Ensure the drive supports encoder or resolver feedback for accurate position, speed, and torque monitoring.

Control Interfaces

Look for drives with standardised communication protocols such as RS485, Modbus, or EtherCAT for seamless integration into your automation system.

Protection & Safety

Drives should include overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal protection, ensuring safe, reliable, and long-lasting operation in industrial environments.

How AC Servo Drives Work

AC servo drives operate using a closed-loop control system, where the servo motor’s position, speed, and torque are continuously monitored via feedback. The drive regulates power to the motor based on this feedback, ensuring precise and responsive motion. Unlike open-loop systems, this continuous adjustment enables accurate positioning and smooth operation, making AC servo drives essential for high-precision machinery, robotics, and automation applications where reliability and exact motion control are critical.

Command Signal

The Controller (PLC or CNC) sends a target command (position, speed, or torque) to the Servo Drive.

Power Modulation

The Servo Drive translates that command into electrical power, sending it to the motor to initiate movement.

Feedback

As the Motor moves, a built-in Encoder (sensor) tracks the actual real-time position and speed.

Correction

The Encoder sends this data back to the Drive. The Drive compares the actual position to the commanded position and instantly adjusts the power to eliminate any error.

Typical Industrial Applications for AC Servo Drives

AC servo drives are widely used across high-precision industrial machinery and multi-axis motion systems, including:

CNC machines

Robotics & pick-and-place systems

Packaging equipment

Conveyor indexing

Printing & cutting machines

Automated assembly lines

AC Servo Drives vs Other Motion Control Technologies

Understanding the differences between AC servo drives, VFDs (inverters), and stepper drives helps engineers select the right solution for their application. Here’s a concise comparison:

AC Servo Drive

VFD / Inverter

Stepper Drive

Precision

High

supports accurate positioning and multi-axis coordination

Moderate

mainly controls motor speed rather than position

Moderate

precise in open-loop steps but limited under load

Dynamic Response

Excellent

fast acceleration and deceleration, smooth motion

Good

suitable for variable-speed applications, less precise than servo

Limited

slower, prone to missed steps at high speeds

Cost

Higher

advanced control and feedback systems increase price

Moderate

less expensive than AC servo for similar power ranges

Low

budget-friendly for simple motion tasks

Feedback Required

Yes

closed-loop control via encoder or resolver

Optional

can operate open-loop, but closed-loop improves performance

Generally No

operates open-loop, though closed-loop versions exist

VFD / Inverter

Moderate

mainly controls motor speed rather than position

Good

suitable for variable-speed applications, less precise than servo

Moderate

less expensive than AC servo for similar power ranges

Optional

can operate open-loop, but closed-loop improves performance

Stepper Drive

Moderate

precise in open-loop steps but limited under load

Limited

slower, prone to missed steps at high speeds

Low

budget-friendly for simple motion tasks

Generally No

operates open-loop, though closed-loop versions exist

How to Choose the Right AC Servo Drive

Selecting the right AC servo drive ensures optimal performance, reliability, and compatibility in your motion control system.

Match with Servo Motor Specifications

Ensure the drive matches the motor’s voltage, current, and power ratings to achieve precise and efficient operation.

Network & Control Requirements

Consider the communication protocols, control interfaces, and multi-axis integration needed for your automation system.

Environmental & Mounting Constraints

Evaluate ambient conditions, space limitations, and cooling requirements to select a drive that fits your installation and industrial environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About AC Servo Drives

What is the main advantage of an AC servo drive over a stepper or VFD?

AC servo drives offer high precision, fast dynamic response, and closed-loop control, making them ideal for multi-axis, high-accuracy applications that stepper drives or VFDs cannot handle as efficiently.

Can AC servo drives be used in multi-axis motion systems?

Yes. They are designed for synchronised control across multiple axes, ensuring accurate and coordinated motion in robotics, CNC machines, and automated assembly lines.

What kind of feedback devices do AC servo drives require?

Most AC servo drives use encoders or resolvers to provide real-time position, speed, and torque feedback, enabling precise closed-loop control.

How do I ensure compatibility between my servo motor and drive?

Check the motor’s voltage, current, power ratings, and feedback type, and confirm that the drive supports the required control interface and communication protocol for seamless integration.