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Linear motor drive

ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM linear motor drive

One- or two-axis NanoPWM EtherCAT drive for 12–100 V DC, up to 13.3/40 A per axis, aimed at nanometre-precision stages, with up to four encoder channels and certified STO.

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Need ACS Motion Control parts, a replacement or another suitable option? Send your part number or describe what the machine needs to do. We connect your requirement with experienced UK engineering and procurement support to help you get the right products, pricing and supply options. Your matched provider can take the enquiry through quotation and ordering to delivery and after-sales support.

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Select the products and performance you need. Our UK engineering team can use your specification to help source the right components, pricing and supply options. See your summary before adding contact details.

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  2. 2Performance
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  4. 4Volumes
  5. 5Your spec
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What are you specifying?

Select everything you need. A motor, drive and gearbox can be specified together as one axis.

1 selected: Servo drive

Key specifications

Voltage (max)100 V
Data / busEtherCAT
Supply12–100 V DC
Feedbackup to 4 channels: AqB, SinCos, absolute
FieldbusEtherCAT SubDevice
Axes1 or 2
Continuous current (max)13.3 A
Peak current (max)40 A
Safe torque offcertified STO

Summarised in our own words from PI Group (Physik Instrumente)'s published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-30. Source 1

Notes on this data

Classed as linear-drive for its precision-stage (linear motor) focus. Current pair not labelled by ACS.

Specify Motion is not affiliated with PI Group (Physik Instrumente). ACS Motion Control and NPMpm NanoPWM are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.

ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM replacement and alternative options

Use these supply-network options as a starting point for an engineering check. We can also help source the original ACS Motion Control part. Published series figures do not establish an exact-model or drop-in replacement: confirm ratings, fit, interfaces and approvals for your application.

Limited published data: 2 figures compared

AMC's analogue servo drives for centralised control schemes: set up with DIP switches and potentiometers, commanded by +/-10 V or PWM. They span 10-400 VDC and 45-265 VAC, up to 150 A continuous and 250 A peak, in PCB, panel and vehicle formats. PCB extended-environment parts run -40 to +85 C.

Published maximumNPMpm NanoPWMAxCent Analogue Servo Drives (AB, AZ, …
Continuous current13.3 A150 A meets or exceeds
Peak current40 A250 A meets or exceeds
Limited published data: 2 figures compared

Network-capable AMC digital drives spanning 10-747 VDC and 120-480 VAC, up to 150 A continuous and 250 A peak (27.4 kW peak power), in PCB, panel, machine and vehicle formats. They support almost any motor type and feedback, plus CANopen, EtherCAT, POWERLINK and Modbus.

Published maximumNPMpm NanoPWMDigiFlex Performance Servo Drives (DP,…
Continuous current13.3 A150 A meets or exceeds
Peak current40 A250 A meets or exceeds
Power—27,400 W

ADVANCED Motion Controls' ultra-compact, high power-density digital servo drives for 10-90 VDC systems, up to 100 A continuous and 200 A peak. They come in PCB, machine-embedded, panel and development-board formats, carry STO as standard, and run EtherCAT, CANopen or Ethernet/IP. Extended-environment models are rated -40 to +95 C.

Published maximumNPMpm NanoPWMFlexPro Digital Servo Drives (FE, FX, …
Continuous current13.3 A100 A meets or exceeds
Peak current40 A200 A meets or exceeds

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.

Typical applications

Nanometre-precision XY stagesWafer inspectionMetrology

What a linear motor drive is

A linear motor drive is a servo drive configured to control linear motors, tubular motors, linear-rotary motors or direct-drive rotary motors. It provides the same current, velocity and position loops as a rotary servo drive, but supports linear encoder inputs, magnetic pole detection or Hall commutation, and units in millimetres or micrometres. Many drives for linear motors include high-speed current loops, high-frequency encoder inputs and motion functions designed for direct drives, such as cogging compensation.

When engineers choose a linear motor drive

Choose a linear motor drive when the axis uses a linear or direct-drive motor rather than a rotary motor with a mechanism. It supports the high bandwidth and fine feedback direct drives need. The trade-offs are compatibility and set-up: commutation, encoder type and motor parameters must match, and tuning direct drives requires care. Some general servo drives also support linear motors, which may simplify a machine with mixed axes.

How to specify the ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM

Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right NPMpm NanoPWM variant or an equivalent:

  • Motor type: flat, tubular, linear-rotary or rotary direct drive
  • Continuous and peak current (A)
  • Supply voltage (V AC or DC)
  • Encoder type and input frequency
  • Commutation method
  • Interface and fieldbus
  • Safety functions

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a drive that does not support the linear encoder interface
  • Ignoring commutation start-up on power-on
  • Leaving out thermal protection for the motor
  • Underestimating tuning effort on low-mass axes

ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM: frequently asked questions

Can you help replace ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM or source the original?

Send the full model code, quantity and required date. Our engineers can check original-part availability and assess suitable alternatives, including supply-network options where appropriate. We confirm compatibility and any changes needed before recommending a replacement.

What is the ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM?

One- or two-axis NanoPWM EtherCAT drive for 12–100 V DC, up to 13.3/40 A per axis, aimed at nanometre-precision stages, with up to four encoder channels and certified STO. Published series figures include voltage 100 V, continuous current 13.3 A, peak current 40 A. It is made by PI Group (Physik Instrumente); Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.

Who makes the ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM?

The ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM is made by ACS Motion Control (PI Group (Physik Instrumente)) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with PI Group (Physik Instrumente); brand names are used only to identify the product.

What is the voltage of the ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM?

The published series maximum voltage is 100 V. Individual models and sizes in the NPMpm NanoPWM 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 ACS Motion Control NPMpm NanoPWM?

We can assess suitable replacement options. On published figures, ADVANCED Motion Controls AxCent Analogue Servo Drives (AB, AZ, AV, B, AVB) and ADVANCED Motion Controls DigiFlex Performance Servo Drives (DP, DZ, DV) are options to assess from our supply network. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.

Can a standard servo drive run a linear motor?

Many modern servo drives can, provided they support the linear encoder type, commutation method and motor parameters. Dedicated linear motor drives may offer higher encoder input rates, faster current loops and specific functions. Check compatibility of motor, encoder and drive before selecting.

How does a linear motor drive find commutation at power-up?

The drive needs to know the motor's magnetic position. Options include Hall sensors, absolute encoders with stored offset, or a phase-finding routine that moves the motor slightly at power-up. Phase-finding can be unsuitable on vertical or constrained axes, so choose the method early.

Further reading: How to select a linear motor · How to select a servo drive · Servo drives

Other linear motor drive series

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