What is a servo motor?

Servo motors are electromechanical devices specifically designed to accurately and efficiently rotate parts of machines. They are self-contained and form a part of a special closed-loop system, along with control units, shafts, a resolver or an encoder, and a potentiometer. Servo motors are responsible for providing torque and velocity according to the commands of a server controller. 

Types of servo motor

Servo motors can be broadly categorised into two major types:

AC servo motors

AC servo motors are primarily available in two different variants, namely synchronous AC motors and asynchronous AC motors. The synchronous AC motors are characterised by their high-density torque and their capability to perform efficiently in dynamic applications. Asynchronous motors, on the other hand, operate at a much slower speed. These types of servo motors are typically used for speed control. 

DC servo motors

DC servo motors are used in applications that demand great versatility and much higher levels of precision. They are typically used in CNC machinery, automation equipment, robotics, and similar applications. 

Applications

Servo motors are used extensively across a range of industrial applications. The most common applications include in:

• Robotics
• Robotic vehicles
• Printing press
• Antenna positioning
• Conveyor belts
• Solar tracking systems 
• Automatic door sensors
• Metal cutting equipment