INTEGRATED STEPPER MOTORS
Liberty MDrive®
An integrated hybrid stepper motor platform designed for scalable rotary and linear motion systems.
Liberty MDrive simplifies multi-axis machine design by reducing wiring, improving energy efficiency, and enabling cleaner system architectures.
Why Liberty MDrive?
Liberty MDrive is Novanta’s most advanced integrated hybrid stepper motor platform: Combining motor, drive, and motion control in a single compact solution engineered for modern, multi-axis machines.
Platform advantages
- Integrated motor, drive, and controller in one compact unit
- Optimized performance and efficiency using Hybrid Motion Technology (hMT)
- Reduced wiring through daisy-chain communication and centralized power
- Scalable architecture for multi-axis machines
Liberty MDrive is ideal for OEMs designing machines that must scale reliably without increasing complexity.
Rotary and linear configurations
Liberty MDrive Rotary
Liberty MDrive integrates 1.8° 2-phase stepper motors with onboard drive electronics, a controller with up to 8 I/O.
Feedback options include open loop, or closed loop with a 1000 line (4000 counts/rev) incremental or multi-turn absolute encoder. Both encoder options feature Hybrid Motion Technology (hMT) closed loop performance.
Supported communication protocols include:
- Ethernet: EtherNet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP, EtherCAT
- CANopen
- RS-422/485
Liberty MDrive Linear
Liberty MDrive linear motion products integrate either a NEMA 17 or NEMA 23 stepper motor with an external shaft linear actuator. Linear motion is produced by ACME type screw/nut systems mounted to a motor’s driving shaft. Products include onboard drive electronics and controller with up to 8 I/O.
Feedback options include open loop or closed loop with a 1000 line (4000 count/rev) internal incremental or multi-turn absolute encoder with hMT closed loop performance.
Supported communication protocols include:
- Ethernet: EtherNet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP, EtherCAT
- CANopen
- RS-422/485
More control for better motion with hMT
Hybrid Motion Technology™ (hMT) is a control technology that, when applied to a stepper motor, results in decidedly un-stepper-like performance. By closely maintaining the relationship of the rotor and stator, hMT eliminates loss of synchronization while opening up the full torque range of the motor. This enables:
Smoother motion and reduced vibration
Lower heat generation
Improved energy efficiency
Extended component life
Ability to regulate torque at a standstill
Eliminate loss of stator/rotor synchronization (stalling)
hMT enables Liberty MDrive to deliver high performance without sacrificing efficiency.
Dual Port networking for simpler wiring
The optional Dual Port configuration allows Liberty MDrive motors to be daisy-chained for communication, significantly reducing cable runs and simplifying installation. This means:
- Fewer cables per axis
- Faster installation and commissioning
- Cleaner control cabinets
- Easier expansion of multi-axis systems
This architecture is particularly valuable in machines with high axis counts or tight space constraints.
Centralized power with the Power Distribution Module
Liberty MDrive is designed to work seamlessly with the Power Distribution Module (PDM), enabling centralized power delivery to multiple axes. The PDM enables:
- Reduced power wiring
- Cleaner cabinet layouts
- Simplified power management
- Improved serviceability
Together, Liberty MDrive, Dual Port networking, and the PDM form a cohesive motion platform optimized for scalable machine design.
Talk to an Application Engineer
Work directly with our technical team to optimize motion configuration, system integration, and control interfaces.