In short:Two-, three- and five-phase stepping motors, closed-loop steppers, AC and low-voltage DC servo motors and drives from other makers can meet the published figures of many Sanyo Denki SANMOTION products, provided frame size, torque curve, phase count, winding, feedback and drive are matched together.
What Sanyo Denki makes
Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer whose motion products are sold under the SANMOTION name. SANMOTION and the product names are trademarks of their owner.
The range covers SANMOTION R AC servo systems (including the R1, R2 and R5 motors and R ADVANCED MODEL and R 3E Model amplifiers), the SANMOTION S AC spindle motor system, SANMOTION T and K DC servo systems for measuring, precision and medical equipment, linear servo motors, the F2 two-phase, F3 three-phase and F5 five-phase stepping motors, the PB closed-loop stepping system and the SANMOTION C motion controller. The company’s wider business also includes cooling fans and power systems.
Why engineers look for a Sanyo Denki alternative
- Lead time for specific frame sizes or windings.
- Second source for equipment built in volume.
- Budget, particularly on stepper axes in high-volume products.
- A change of approach, such as moving an open-loop stepper axis to closed loop or to a low-voltage servo.
- A different interface, for example an EtherCAT or CANopen drive in place of pulse and direction.
What to check for a stepping or servo motor equivalent
Stepping motors
- Frame size, mounting face, pilot and shaft.
- Body length, holding torque and the pull-out torque curve at your drive voltage.
- Phase count (two, three or five) and step angle.
- Rated current, resistance and inductance, which set the drive pairing.
- Encoder, brake or gearbox options.
- Resonance behaviour. Mid-band resonance depends on motor, drive and load together, so test the new pair on the real machine before signing off.
Servo motors and amplifiers
- Rated and peak torque, speed and torque-speed curve.
- Rotor inertia and inertia ratio.
- Flange, shaft, brake, encoder type and resolution.
- Supply voltage: mains AC, or 24 to 96 VDC for DC servo systems.
- Control interface, safety functions and tuning tools.
Our guides to selecting a stepper motor, selecting a stepper drive, selecting a servo motor and servo vs stepper cover the sizing.
SANMOTION alternatives in our supply network
Stepping motors. The Leadshine CM Series is a two-phase hybrid range from NEMA 8 to NEMA 52 with encoder, brake, IP65 and gearbox variants. Leadshine also offers a three-phase stepper range in NEMA 23 and 34 (still sold, though Leadshine recommends CM for new designs) and a five-phase stepper range with 0.72° step angle in 28, 42 and 60 mm frames, matched to the DM5 five-phase drive in pulse or EtherCAT versions. The NEMA 34 high-torque M86STH offers 22 windings from 2.2 to about 12 Nm.
Closed-loop steppers. The Leadshine CS-M Series puts an incremental encoder on a two-phase motor from NEMA 8 to 34, and the ES2-MH is a three-phase closed-loop option.
Servo. The Kinco SMK AC servo motors cover 50 W to 7.5 kW, with the Kinco JD2 drives. For DC servo systems, the Kinco SMK low-voltage motors run on 48 or 96 VDC and the Leadshine ELVM motors on 24 to 60 VDC buses.
See the servo and stepper motors hub for more.
How the comparison is made
The table under this text compares each Sanyo Denki series we hold data for with the closest product from our supply network, on published figures only. “Equivalent” means a product that meets the stated specification for your application, confirmed by an engineer, not an identical part. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Sanyo Denki, and no logos are used. Names identify products only.
If the original is the right part for your axis, we will tell you.
Sanyo Denki series and the closest match from our supply network
Each row compares the highest published figures for the series. A match here is a starting point: an engineer confirms the fit for your load, duty, mounting and interface before recommending anything.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace a SANMOTION F2 stepping motor with another NEMA motor?
Usually, if frame size, shaft, length and winding are matched. NEMA frame sizes (for example about 57 mm and 86 mm square, called NEMA 23 and 34) give a common mounting face, but holding torque, rated current, inductance and the pull-out torque curve differ between makers. Compare the curve at your drive voltage and microstep setting, not only holding torque.
Is there an alternative to a five-phase SANMOTION F5 system?
Five-phase stepping motors and matching five-phase drives are available from other makers, including in our supply network. A five-phase motor needs a five-phase drive, so the pair is usually changed together. If you are open to a different approach, a two-phase motor with a modern microstepping or closed-loop drive can also give smooth motion.
What about the closed-loop SANMOTION PB system?
Closed-loop stepper systems add an encoder so the drive corrects position and avoids step loss. Equivalents need a comparable frame, torque curve, encoder resolution and drive features such as alarm outputs and current reduction at standstill. Compare the full system, motor and drive, as a set.
What should I send to get a Sanyo Denki equivalent proposed?
Send the motor and amplifier model numbers, the load, inertia and motion profile, supply voltage, control method (pulse, analogue or fieldbus), feedback requirements, frame and shaft details, brake, environment and any approvals. For steppers, add the drive current setting and microstep resolution used today.
Sources
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.