28 n MOTION CONTROL June 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com Look beyond the spec sheet when choosing motion systems When machine-builders are specifying motion systems, it is easy to get caught up in the numbers. Torque, speed, power density and price are all clear, measurable factors, and provide a straightforward way to compare components. But in modern machine design, these figures rarely tell the full story. In practice, many of the biggest challenges in automation come not from component performance, but from how systems are put together. Integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting often determine whether a machine is delivered on time and performs as intended. As a result, choosing the right motion architecture is less about choosing the most capable individual components and more about understanding how the entire system will behave in use. One of the most overlooked factors in motion system design is engineering time. When comparing components, it is common to focus on up-front cost, which can make a lower-cost drive or controller appear attractive when viewed in isolation. However, this approach can lead to unintended consequences if it increases the time required to integrate and commission the system. Every additional hour spent configuring communications, writing custom code, or diagnosing unexpected behaviour, delays machine start-ups. In turn, this delays production and increases overall project costs. In many cases, the cost of lost time can massively outweigh any savings made on hardware. For this reason, time-to-commission should be considered alongside traditional performance metrics. Systems that are easier to configure, faster to debug, and more intuitive to operate, can deliver significant value, even if their initial purchase price is higher. Modern motion systems are rarely built from a single device. A typical machine may Many of automation’s biggest challenges come not from component performance, but from how systems are put together. Kollmorgen product manager, Allen Tubbs explains how integrated platforms, where controls, drives and software work together, can reduce complexity and shorten development times. Systems that are easy to configure, fast to debug, and intuitive to operate can deliver significant value
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