Nidec Develops AC Servo Motor Equipped with Zignear®, the Location Detection Technology that Accommodates 17-bit Resolution, for the Industrial Robot Market

MC Nidec DEvelops AC Servo Motor Equipped with Zignear 1 400

June 9, 2022

 

Nidec Corporation recently announced that it and Nidec Sankyo Corporation have jointly developed an AC servo motor (resolution: 17bit) equipped with Zignear®, the position detection technology that can be applied to industrial robots and replace encoders.

 

About this motor:

  • •Uses a similar number of components to a magnetic encoder, with similar location detection and tracking capabilities of an optical encoder;
  • •Boasts the maximum accuracy in mechanical angles for location detection errors (less than ±0.02°)*;
  • •Can operate similarly to a conventional 17bit‐AC servo motor (demonstrated in a system test with a Zignear-equipped motor to drive an automated guided vehicle (AGV));
  • •Is of an identical shape to a conventional magnetic encoder, making replacements between the two easy;
  • •Uses a general-purpose microcomputer to accommodate a wide variety of output formats, including the ABZ phase output that is outputted by an optical encoder, and formats common in magnetic encoders, such as serial
  • •Is intended for industrial robots and AGVs among others.

 

An encoder, which is a sensor used to detect the rotation of a brushless DC motor mainly, is essential in adjusting a motor to an intended location, and keeping its rotation consistent. Conventionally, a brushless DC motor has required an encoder, as it has been difficult to detect its accurate location due to the “inconsistency” in the magnetic sensor, or the installation of a hall sensor and sensitivity in particular. Now, however, after developing an algorithm that corrects such inconsistency, Nidec has successfully improved the location detection accuracy with the use of general-purpose microcomputers.

Despite its high accuracy and capability to operate in a strong magnetic field, an optical encoder tends to become larger in proportion to its accuracy, requiring precise positioning. This is why an optical encoder tends to be costly due to its code wheel and other components, and installation cost, and to deteriorate in an environment full of dust, oil, etc.

Meanwhile, a magnetic encoder operates even in a dusty environment, and is cost-competitive as it works with a relatively inexpensive IC chip, but the encoder’s accuracy is lower than that of an optical counterpart. Nidec’s Zignear®, which requires as small a number of components (only a hall sensor and a general-purpose microcomputer) as does a magnetic encoder, uses software to maintain location detection and tracking capabilities that are equal to those of an optical encoder.

Going forward, in the fields of industrial robot and mobility system that are becoming increasingly innovative and diverse, Zignear®-equipped AC servo motors will contribute to meeting the needs for high-level accuracy, diverse forms of communication, and replacing conventional products.

MC Nidec DEvelops AC Servo Motor Equipped with Zignear 2 400

 

 

To learn more about Zignear®, the location detection technology, click here 

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • ABB Contactor Selection Guide Canada

    October 1, 2025 ABB contactors are among the most reliable electrical switching devices in industrial automation. As Canada’s leading ABB authorized distributor, Proax has helped thousands of engineers and technicians select the right ABB contactor for their applications. Whether you’re designing a new motor control panel or replacing existing equipment, choosing the right ABB contactor can… Read More…

  • 25 Advanced Motion Control Questions Answered

    October 1, 2025 Electromate has compiled a list of 25 advanced mechatronic engineering FAQs covering inertia, vibration, servo safety, control tuning, encoder resolution, and motion system design, and provided answers from their team of experts across the country. How do I model moment loading in real-world applications with offset payloads? Moment loading should be calculated… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • Festo AI-Powered Pneumatic Cylinder Monitoring Cuts Machine Downtime, Transforming Maintenance from Reactive to Predictive

    October 3, 2025 Festo introduces its AI-enabled monitoring and predictive maintenance system Festo AX Motion Insights Pneumatic. AX Motion Insights Pneumatic is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for preventing costly unscheduled machine downtime through its monitoring of pneumatic cylinders for wear and anomalies. This AI-based industrial app ensures operations are more reliable, efficient, and ultimately more profitable. The… Read More…

  • Integrated Power and Energy Measurement Technology

    October 1, 2025 Precise energy monitoring for maximum efficiency Beckhoff offers an integrated solution for real-time energy monitoring that records electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power directly within the EtherCAT I/O system. This transparency reduces machine downtime, prevents component oversizing, and enables a rapid response to grid faults such as phase failures. Deviations… Read More…