Easier Automation with Clarity, Durability, and Correct Sizing

[Erkan Teskancan]

As modern automation systems increase in complexity, machine builders are re-evaluating motion control design and implementation. Next-generation servo technologies offer significant opportunities to simplify design, enhance flexibility, and ensure resilience in supply chains.

### The Cost of Complexity
Many manufacturers equip their motion systems with over-specified components. While high-spec servo drives and motors are theoretically beneficial, they are often not utilized during most operational instances. This creates an additional burden in engineering, configuration, and inventory management. Furthermore, unnecessary complexity introduces extra challenges in the control system and slows down development processes.

### The Right Sizing Approach
It is observed that approximately 80% of applications function with basic and standard features. Therefore, a modular approach should be preferred in machine design; only components that provide the necessary functions should be selected. This strategy ensures system simplification and accelerated development without compromising performance.

### Open Systems vs. Closed Ecosystems
Many control platforms are designed as closed ecosystems, which increases supplier dependency and limits flexibility. Today, multi-protocol servo drives enable easy integration between different communication systems such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, and EtherNet/IP. This flexibility provides faster certification in the global market, reduced engineering burden, and high ease of maintenance.

### Meeting Today's Expectations
Openness and simplicity not only offer easy-to-use systems but also create an advantage that improves operational decisions. The ability to use a single hardware across various regions and different control architectures simplifies inventory management, makes project planning more reliable, and accelerates commissioning processes.

### Summary
The new paradigm in the automation sector questions the equation "more features = more performance." More efficient systems emerge when the right features and simple design are combined. Manufacturers like Kollmorgen support this trend with servo platforms focused on essential needs.

Machine builders can accelerate development processes, reduce costs, and increase confidence in their systems by focusing on openness, resilience, and right-sizing. This approach is the key to true progress in automation in an increasingly complex world.