Compact motion from an integrated servo and EtherCAT VFD platform
Key Highlights
- Beckhoff's motion platform incorporates STO and SS1 directly into its EtherCAT VFDs up to 7 hp, while the servo drive family handles full safe motion via fail safe over EtherCAT (FSoE).
- The economy servo motor line is 40% shorter than the AM8000 series, and integrated 24 V power supplies eliminate the need for external power units inside the control cabinet.
- Using One Cable Technology (OCT) with smaller, high-flex cables simplifies routing in dynamic tracks and streamlines setup through Drive Manager 2 software.
At the 2026 Automate Show, Matt Prellwitz, drive technology manager at Beckhoff Automation, demonstrated a cost-effective motion system designed for OEMs and machine builders looking to minimize overall build costs without sacrificing performance. The lineup features single-phase and larger three-phase servo drives alongside an EtherCAT-driven variable frequency drive (VFD).
A major highlight is the introduction of a dual-channel VFD option capable of supporting up to 7 hp, with plans to expand capacity even higher. The VFD integrates key functional safety features such as safe torque off (STO) and safe stop 1 (SS1), while the servo drive family incorporates full safe motion capabilities communicating over fail safe over EtherCAT (FSoE).Complementing the drive platform is an economy servo motor line, which is engineered for tight physical envelopes and 40% shorter than the existing AM8000 motor series, which were used in Joseph Machine's flexible machining center.
Designed to streamline panel layout and physical routing, the drive architecture incorporates built-in power supply functionality, removing the need for an external 24 V power unit. The system relies on Beckhoff's flagship One Cable Technology (OCT), pairing high-flex, smaller-gauge cables suitable for dynamic cable carriers with rapid, unified commissioning through Drive Manager 2 software.
Ultimately, the new motion ecosystem targets the practical economic and spatial challenges of modern automation machinery. By unifying VFD control, safety protocols and servo performance under a single EtherCAT architecture, Beckhoff provides controls engineers with a scalable roadmap for lower-cost, footprint-optimized machine builds.