What are Direct Drive Motors?

Several types of motors fall in the category of Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM). These motors share the common characteristic of directly driving the load without the need for a transmission or gearbox. Examples of Direct Drive Motors are Torque Motors, certain types of Brushless DC (BLDC) Motors and Linear Motor.

A linear PMSM is designed to produce linear motion directly, ideal for applications requiring straight-line movement. A PMSM torque motor is optimized for delivering high torque at relatively low speeds, often used in rotary applications where high starting Torque is required, where precision and control are paramount or where integration into the application is needed to reduce the overall size and weight of an application.

Global Direct Drive Motors Market Share

When looking at the global industry of Direct Drive motors, Linear Motors lead the market share with a substantial 48.07%, closely followed by Torque Motors at 43.09%. The remaining 8.84% is attributed to other variants.

Global Direct Drive Motors Market Share by Type 2023
Source: Secondary Sources and QYResearch

Understanding the Appeal

What sets direct drive PMSM’s apart is their efficiency, reliability, precision, versatility and sustainability. PMSM’s have fewer moving parts than traditional motors utilizing a gearbox or a transmission, which means that they require less maintenance and have a longer life expectancy. PMSMs also have a high torque density, which translates into the fact that they can produce more torque in a smaller package.

Next to the technical advantages, the appeal of these motors can also be contributed to global trends. Companies search for ways to develop higher quality products with faster production times, needing less maintenance while being more sustainable. This created a demand for high-performance, precision motors. Direct drive PMSM motors align with these requirements, making them a crucial component in the advancement of smart manufacturing processes.

Innovation at the Core

The rise in interest is also noticeable for Magnetic Innovations, the direct drive motor company located in the Netherlands. They deliver high-quality direct drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) but also tailor motor solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses today. Over the past years, inquiries have increased by more than 50%.

Johan Dams, CTO of Magnetic Innovations on the company’s successes: “We celebrate the success of the past years but we also keep our focus on the future. We are looking at the upcoming year with much excitement, as we are going to launch a new line of PM synchronous motors. Our commitment to innovations makes it possible for us to keep growing. Our new product range will be more interesting to a broader range of companies.”

Growth in inquiries for Direct Drive PMSM
Source: Magnetic Innovations

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the future of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) appears to be characterized by a continuous evolution and broader adoption. The worldwide interest in direct drive PMSM’s is expected to keep growing.

Johan Dams, puts it simply: “We’re anticipating advancements in materials, design, and control systems, this will further enhance the efficiency and performance of PMSM’s. And it’s not just the development on the technology side – more businesses are prioritizing sustainability and energy efficiency, making PMSMs the go-to motor topology for a greener, more integrated future.”

A potential expansion of the PMSM’s into new applications and a deeper integration into the fabric of emerging technologies, marking an exciting chapter in the evolution of direct drive motor-driven systems.