The modular drive system from ebm-papst enables you to create the right system solution by combining different modules. In addition to the electronically commutated motor, the system also includes control electronics with different communications interfaces, various transmission variants, brakes, encoders, etc. Several hundred variants are possible in all, with defined preferred types ready to ship within 48 hours.
Modular drive system
The “heart” of all configurations is a brushless, electronically commutated ECI internal servo rotor motor. The focus is on drives in safety extra-low voltage, currently in the power range between 10 and 750 watts. The modular ECI drive system from ebm-papst is ideal for decentralized applications in production and assembly automation, handling systems and industrial robots. Thanks to the drive’s integrated intelligence, it can be freely programmed like a PLC.
ebm-papst already integrates a variety of hardware and software directly into its drive systems. Functions such as recording the rotor position, actuating a brake and controlling and regulating the motor are already integrated directly into the motor housing.

Thanks to its modular design, the ECI motors from ebm-papst can be combined with various modules. (Photo | ebm-papst)
Internal or external rotor?
Drive technology at ebm-papst is based on two types of motor that differ fundamentally in terms of design: One type is the brushless external rotor motors of the VDC series, the other is the internal rotor motors of the ECI and BCI series.
With internal rotor motors, a distinction is made between brushless or brushed motors. For the brushless motor, the magnets are positioned directly on the shaft together with the magnetic yoke. The stator lamination stack located in the housing allows the winding to be well cooled. The rotor position is recorded by magnetic sensors in the main field or in the field of a control magnet. Due to the lower moment of inertia, it is possible to implement more dynamic drive tasks here, as the small internal rotor allows fast changes in speed and direction of rotation. The integrated electronics in motors from ebm-papst enable not only speed control, positioning and communication with higher-level systems, but also many application-specific features.
The external rotor is the motor with which the rotor moves around the motor winding externally. Compared to the internal rotor motor, the magnets are attached to a larger diameter, which, on the one hand, enables a greater magnetic volume and, on the other hand, results in a flow concentration to the internal stator. The rotor position is recorded by the rotor position sensor (Hall ICs) in the main field. It is the motor concept that is more commonly used in ventilation and air conditioning.
Control electronics make drives smart
The powerful control electronics can be integrated into various external or internal rotor EC motors. The compact EC drives from ebm-papst owe their intelligence to their integrated K4 control electronics, which include a compact power output stage and can run the motor down to standstill using a field-oriented closed-loop control module. Thanks to the K4 control electronics, the drive can be tailored to the requirements of the application. There are three main operating modes: the motor operates in speed, torque or positioning mode. The fully integrated control electronics also provide several analog and digital inputs and outputs, which can be configured via an RS-485-interface. The drive’s functionality during operation can also be monitored via various monitoring functions such as voltage, current, temperature, etc.
The K5 control electronics also offer a CANopen interface, which opens up further communication options. K5 drives can also be used as a CAN master, for example. The external control electronics enable brushless DC motors to be actuated. Variants for speed-controlled operation with an analog set value requirement can also be implemented. The DriveSTUDIO software and epTools from ebm-papst are used for commissioning.

In crown gearheads, the involute drive pinion builds in cylindrical form and the contact between the pinion and the output gear is a roller contact; hardly any friction losses occur. (Photo | ebm-papst)
DriveSTUDIO
Drives can be configured easily, quickly and, above all, intuitively using the DriveSTUDIO software from ebm-papst. The factory preset standard parameterization such as speed, path to be covered, soft start etc. can be changed using the software. This enables the preferred types or drives to be tested promptly in the application in small quantities. In series orders, the desired parameterization is already loaded at the factory. The various modes (demo, parameterization) make the software suitable for application engineers and for users with little programming knowledge alike. It is connected via a USB interface adapter. The PC must have Windows as the operating system.
Crown gearheads in crown gear technology

When it comes to crown gearheads, ebm-papst impresses with its innovative crown gearhead technology. (Photo | ebm-papst)
To round out the drive system, ebm-papst offers various transmission series for a wide range of requirements, such as angular and planetary gears. ebm-papst relies on innovative crown gear technology in the area of crown gearheads. This enables powerful, compact and highly efficient transmission solutions. The output shafts of all crown gearheads are made of ground, case-hardened steel and are thus especially robust. Torque is transmitted via a keyway connection as standard.
As well as their high efficiency levels, typical reasons for using crown gearheads include their high transmissible torque and their no self-locking design. In the case of barriers and access monitoring systems, for example, the transmissions can be turned back manually even in the event of a high reduction without the need for components for decoupling to protect the drive against damage. Due to the offset-free design, the motor-transmission combination can also be integrated easily into door profiles.
Planetary gears
Wherever a high power density is required, planetary gears from ebm-papst provide the ideal solution. They impress with their extremely smooth operation, which is achieved thanks to extremely robust, sometimes straight and sometimes helical planetary gears made of high-strength plastic or steel. PerformaxPlus planetary gears are perfect, for example, for users who are looking for smooth, robust transmission solutions for high torques. The transmission design makes the best possible use of the available installation space: By using a radial screw connection for the individual housing components, a maximum effective diameter is available for the ring gear toothing.
Today, many industrial automation applications, as well as intralogistics applications, call for compact, powerful and simultaneously robust transmissions. Typical examples include shuttle vehicles or crossbelt conveyors. The Optimax planetary gears available in two sizes (42 and 63 mm) score points here. The larger variant, for example, offers peak torques of up to 150 Nm with an installation edge dimension of 63 mm and a length of just 102 mm in the two-stage version.
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