In short:Servo motors and drives, housed direct-drive motors and iron-core linear motors from other makers can meet the published figures of many Yaskawa Sigma-7 and Sigma-X products, but the network (MECHATROLINK or EtherCAT), feedback, inertia, mounting and tuning all need checking for a real equivalent.
What Yaskawa makes
Yaskawa Electric Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of servo systems, AC drives and industrial robots. Yaskawa, Sigma-7, Sigma-X, SERVOPACK and MECHATROLINK are trademarks of their owner.
Its motion range is built around the Sigma-7 and newer Sigma-X families: rotary servomotors (SGM7J, SGM7A, SGM7G and the SGMX equivalents) paired with SERVOPACK amplifiers in single, dual and triple-axis forms. Beside these are direct-drive servomotors (SGM7D, SGM7E, SGM7F and the SGMCS / SGMCV), iron-core linear servomotors (SGLF and SGLT) and the MP3300iec machine controller. Yaskawa lists MECHATROLINK and EtherCAT among its network options.
Why engineers look for a Yaskawa alternative
- Lead time on particular motor sizes or SERVOPACK variants.
- Second source for machines built in volume.
- Budget, on axes that do not need the full performance of the range.
- A change of architecture, for example moving a machine to an EtherCAT controller from another vendor.
- Different form, such as a frameless kit instead of a housed direct-drive motor, or an ironless linear motor for zero cogging.
What to check before calling it equivalent
Rotary servo
- Rated and peak torque, and the torque-speed curve at your supply voltage.
- Rotor inertia, and your load-to-motor inertia ratio.
- Flange, pilot, shaft and key, brake and length.
- Encoder type and resolution, and battery or battery-free multi-turn.
- IP rating and environment.
SERVOPACK replacement
Supply, current, network, safety functions, feedback compatibility and tuning tools.
Direct-drive and linear
Torque or force, speed, bearing load capacity, centre-hole size, accuracy, attraction force for iron-core linear motors, cooling and mounting.
Commissioning time
Budget for it. A new drive brand means new tuning software, new parameter files and new fault codes for your service team. On a single machine this is usually a manageable engineering task; across a product line it is a documentation and training task. Settle time, following error and any vibration suppression the axis relies on should be tested on the real mechanics, not assumed from a datasheet.
Our guides to selecting a servo motor, selecting a servo drive, selecting a linear motor and selecting a frameless torque motor explain the sizing.
Alternatives in our supply network
Direct-drive motors. The Akribis ADR-A is a housed iron-core direct-drive motor with bearings and an optical encoder in 110 to 360 mm frames, reaching about 1 kNm peak. The low-profile Akribis AXD runs from 80 to 400 mm with large centre holes.
Linear motors. The Akribis AKM iron-core linear motor reaches several kN continuous with optional water cooling, and the narrow AQM suits long, space-constrained axes. For zero cogging, see the AUM ironless motor.
Servo drives and motors. The Leadshine EL7 platform covers 400 W to 22 kW with STO and EtherCAT, and the 4EL7-EC four-axis drive puts four 400 to 1,500 W axes in one housing, a similar idea to multi-axis SERVOPACKs. The ADVANCED Motion Controls DigiFlex Performance drives support a wide range of feedback. For motors, the Kinco SMK series covers 50 W to 7.5 kW.
Controllers. The Kinco AK EtherCAT controller runs up to 32 synchronised axes in CODESYS.
How this comparison is made
The table under this text lists each Yaskawa 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; it does not mean an identical part or a drop-in on a MECHATROLINK network. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Yaskawa, and no logos are used. Names identify products only.
Send your model codes and the axis requirements, and we will be straightforward about which parts have a sound alternative.
Yaskawa 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.
| Yaskawa series | Type | Closest match |
|---|---|---|
| MP3300iec | Motion controller | Ask an engineer |
| SGM7D / SGM7E / SGM7F direct drive | Housed direct-drive motor | Akribis Systems ADR-A meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| SGMCS / SGMCV direct drive | Housed direct-drive motor | Akribis Systems ADR-A meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| SGLF / SGLFW2 iron-core linear | Iron-core linear motor | Akribis Systems AKM meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 2 figures compared |
| SGLT / SGLTW twin-magnet linear | Iron-core linear motor | Akribis Systems AJM Same product type |
| Sigma-7 SERVOPACKs (SGD7S / SGD7W) | AC servo drive | Leadshine EL7S / EL7 Series AC Servo Drives meets 1 of 2 figures Meets 1 of 2 figures compared |
| Sigma-X SERVOPACKs (SGDXS / SGDXW / SGDXT) | Multi-axis servo drive | Leadshine 4EL7-EC Four-Axis EtherCAT AC Servo Drive meets 1 of 2 figures Meets 1 of 2 figures compared |
| Sigma-7 rotary servomotors (SGM7J / SGM7A / SGM7G) | AC servo motor | Kinco SMK Series AC Servo Motors (SMK40S/60S/80S, SMK130G, SMK180G) meets 3 of 4 figures Meets 3 of 4 figures compared |
| Sigma-X rotary servomotors (SGMXJ / SGMXA / SGMXG / SGMXP) | AC servo motor | Ask an engineer |
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Yaskawa Electric Corporation. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an equivalent to a Sigma-7 SERVOPACK on MECHATROLINK?
MECHATROLINK is used mainly with Yaskawa controllers and drives, so an alternative drive usually means a change of network as well, most often to EtherCAT. That is straightforward on a new machine with a new controller, but on an existing machine it changes the controller configuration too. If the machine already uses an EtherCAT SERVOPACK, the swap is simpler.
What should I compare between Yaskawa and other direct-drive motors?
Compare rated and peak torque, maximum speed, outer diameter, height, centre-hole diameter, axial and moment load capacity of the built-in bearing, encoder resolution and accuracy, and bus voltage. Then check the mounting pattern and the drive. Housed direct-drive motors are rarely dimensionally identical between makers, so a fixture change is common.
Can a Yaskawa linear motor be replaced with another make?
The forcer and magnet track are a matched pair, so a change normally means replacing both. Compare continuous and peak force, attraction force, cogging, motor constant, cooling and the envelope, then check the stage structure and bearings for any change in attraction load. A drive that supports linear motors and your encoder is needed too.
What should I send to get a Yaskawa equivalent proposed?
Send the motor and SERVOPACK model codes, the controller and network, the load inertia and motion profile, supply voltage, encoder requirements, safety functions, mounting dimensions and environment. For direct-drive and linear motors, add the load, moments, stroke or angle, accuracy target and cooling.
Sources
- Yaskawa America: Sigma-X servo products
- Yaskawa Europe: direct drive motors flyer (SGM7D / SGM7E / SGM7F)
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.