Servo Drive

A servo drive is an electronic amplifier and controller that powers a servo motor in a closed-loop motion control system. It receives low-power command signals—typically position, velocity, or torque—from a motion controller or computer, then supplies precisely regulated high-power electrical current to the motor.

The key feature of a servo drive is its ability to close the loop: it constantly monitors feedback from an encoder or resolver attached to the motor. By comparing actual motor status (position, speed, current) to the commanded values, the drive dynamically adjusts voltage, frequency, and pulse width to minimize error.

Modern servo drives integrate digital signal processors (DSPs) and advanced algorithms for fast, accurate, and smooth motion. They offer tuning parameters, protection circuits (overcurrent, overtemperature), and communication interfaces (EtherCAT, CANopen, Profinet).

Applications include robotics, CNC machines, automated assembly lines, packaging equipment, and medical devices—anywhere precise, dynamic motion control is required.