Beckhoff Automation GmbH’s (www.beckhoff.com) managing director Hans Beckhoff has announced the company’s collaboration with Fertig Motors GmbH to develop servo motors for EtherCat and PC-based Control — the networking technology by Beckhoff.

The first of the products will be launched at the end of 2011, said Mr. Beckhoff. The Motion division of Beckhoff is being expanded with new product lines in the servo terminals, servo motors and servo drives category, he added. Production capacities for drive technology are being expanded, and the target is to increase the Motion division to 25% of total sales in the medium term.

“Our goal is to develop the next generation of servo motors: more dynamic, more energy-efficient and available at a low cost,” said Erwin Fertig of Fertig Motors. “Our team of highly motivated specialists is looking forward to this new challenge and is going about its work with enthusiasm. In order to ensure maximum quality standards and to guarantee high availability, all motors should be ‘Made in Germany.’”

Mr. Beckhoff added: “We have always specialized in hardware and software, and naturally, we have extensive know-how in drive technology. However, our knowledge will now be decisively deepened with the development of our own motor series, especially in the area of highly dynamic magnetic mechanics and the associated control algorithms. We are delighted with this new partnership and we are convinced that we will be able to offer our customers even more powerful system solutions as a result”.