AC servo motor
Beckhoff Automation AM8000 AC servo motor
Beckhoff's main synchronous servo motor range in seven flange sizes, offered with One Cable Technology so power and digital feedback share a single cable to the drive.
Key specifications
| Continuous torque (max) | 129 Nm |
|---|---|
| Speed (max) | 12,000 rpm |
| Supply | 100-480 Vac drive systems (AM8012 page lists 100-230 Vac for small sizes) |
| Feedback | OCT digital absolute encoder (24-bit, SIL 2 capable), resolver |
| Overload | up to 5x |
| Frame count | 7 |
Summarised in our own words from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG's published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-29. Source 1 · Source 2
Notes on this data
Standstill torque 0.2-129 Nm stored as torque_Nm_cont_max. Flange sizes F1-F7 (F1 = 40 mm, F4 = 87 mm per individual pages); other mm values not on overview. IP rating and series peak torque not published on pages checked. Increased-inertia AM8500 and stainless AM8800 variants exist but were not read.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG. Beckhoff Automation and AM8000 are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with a Beckhoff Automation part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These 3 series from our supply network are the closest match on published figures.
Kinco's established AC servo motor range from 40 to 180 mm frames, covering 50 W to 7.5 kW and up to 48 Nm rated torque. Standard feedback is a 2500-line incremental encoder with Hall commutation, with absolute options and a resolver on the 180 mm frame. Pairs with FD2S and CD2S drives.
View series →Compact Kinco AC servo motors from 50 W to 3 kW with absolute encoders (17-bit single-turn or 16-bit multi-turn), in 40-130 mm frames for use with FD2S and CD2S drives.
View series →Leadshine's AC servo motors for the EL8/EL7/EL6 drives: ELM1 is the economy line and ELM2 the general-purpose line, both with 23-bit absolute encoders, IP65/IP67 sealing and up to 3.5x overload. The catalogue extends ELM2M to 22 kW and previews a 26-bit ELM3.
View ELM1 / ELM2 AC Servo Motors →Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What an AC servo motor is
An AC servo motor is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor designed for closed-loop control of position, speed and torque. A wound stator is driven by a servo drive with sinusoidal three-phase current, while magnets on the rotor follow the rotating field. A high-resolution encoder or resolver on the shaft feeds position back to the drive, which adjusts current many thousands of times a second. The result is precise, dynamic motion with high peak torque, typically about three times the continuous rating for short periods.
When engineers choose an AC servo motor
Choose an AC servo for machine axes needing fast, accurate motion under varying loads, such as packaging, robotics, machine tools and printing. Compared with steppers, servos keep torque at high speed and cannot silently lose position. The trade-offs are cost and set-up: a servo needs a matched drive, feedback and tuning. For simple, low-speed indexing with a steady load, a stepper may be cheaper. For very low speeds and high torque, a gearbox or direct-drive motor may be needed.
How to specify the Beckhoff Automation AM8000
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right AM8000 variant or an equivalent:
- Continuous and peak torque (Nm)
- Rated and maximum speed (rpm)
- Load inertia and inertia ratio
- Supply voltage: 230 V single-phase or 400 V three-phase
- Feedback: incremental or absolute encoder, resolution (bits)
- Holding brake, IP code and shaft options
- Flange size and mounting (mm)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sizing on peak torque without checking RMS torque over the cycle
- Ignoring load-to-motor inertia ratio, which makes tuning hard
- Forgetting the brake is for holding, not dynamic stopping
- Using a motor and drive pair that the supplier has not matched
Beckhoff Automation AM8000: frequently asked questions
What is the Beckhoff Automation AM8000?
Beckhoff's main synchronous servo motor range in seven flange sizes, offered with One Cable Technology so power and digital feedback share a single cable to the drive. Published series figures include continuous torque 129 Nm, speed 12,000 rpm. It is made by Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG; Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the Beckhoff Automation AM8000?
The Beckhoff Automation AM8000 is made by Beckhoff Automation (Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG; brand names are used only to identify the product.
What is the continuous torque of the Beckhoff Automation AM8000?
The published series maximum continuous torque is 129 Nm. Individual models and sizes in the AM8000 range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is there an alternative to the Beckhoff Automation AM8000?
Yes. On published figures, Kinco SMH Series AC Servo Motors (SMH40S-SMH180D) and Kinco SMC Series AC Servo Motors (SMC40S/60S/80S/130D) are the closest match from our supply network. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What is the inertia ratio in servo sizing?
The inertia ratio compares the load inertia reflected to the motor shaft with the motor's rotor inertia. High ratios make the axis harder to tune and slower to settle. Many engineers aim for below about 10:1, and lower for highly dynamic axes, using a gearbox to reduce reflected inertia where needed.
Do AC servo motors need an absolute encoder?
Not always. Incremental encoders need a homing routine after power-up, which is acceptable on many machines. Absolute encoders know their position at power-on, avoiding homing, which saves time and suits robots and multi-axis machines. Multi-turn absolute encoders track turns even when power is off.
Further reading: How to select a servo motor · Servo vs stepper · Servo and stepper motors
Other ac servo motor series
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