Brake or Non-Brake Servo Motor? Complete Selection Guide for Automation
When purchasing servo motors for industrial automation machines, one of the most common questions from global buyers is: Should I choose a servo motor with brake or without brake?
It directly affects equipment safety, positioning accuracy, operating cost and service life. Today we share practical knowledge for mechanical engineers, equipment manufacturers and factory managers worldwide.
Servo Motor with Brake (Power-off Brake)
Built-in electromagnetic brake locks the motor shaft once power cuts off.
✅ Best Applications
Vertical lifting axes, robot arms, CNC machines, gantry equipment, overhead conveyors.
✅ Core Advantages
Prevent load sliding caused by gravity; maintain high-precision positioning; avoid safety accidents from external force or inertia.
✅ Key Reminder
Most industrial servo brakes adopt power-off braking design, safe for sudden power failure.
Servo Motor without Brake
Simple structure, no built-in locking device, relies on drive braking to stop operation.
✅ Best Applications
Horizontal conveyors, mixers, ordinary transmission equipment, low-inertia operating devices.
✅ Core Advantages
Lower cost, fewer failure points, easy installation and daily maintenance.
Professional Selection Rules
- Vertical/tilted load, power-off position holding, high safety requirements → Pick servo motor with brake
- Horizontal load, no gravity sliding risk, general transmission → Pick servo motor without brake
- Brake torque shall be 1.5 times higher than load torque for stable operation
Wondering whether to use a braked or non-braked servo motor for your machines?
🔹
With brake: For vertical axes, robot arms, CNC, anti-slip & safety positioning
🔹 Without brake: For horizontal conveyors, general transmission, cost-effective & low maintenance
Critical rule: Gravity load = must use braked servo motor!
