Insights into the motion control market
June 2024
Motion Control & Drives
The global motion control market is anticipated to reach $24,66 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5,9%. This growth is driven by increased use of industrial robots in manufacturing for tasks such as grouping, packing and picking. Additionally, the rise in factory automation and machine-controlled processes has significantly boosted demand for motion controllers.
Key market trends
Industry 4.0 integration: Motion control systems are being enhanced by connectivity and data-driven decision making. Integration with IoT sensors, AI algorithms, and predictive analytics allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment, minimising downtime and optimising efficiency. This adoption fosters the development of collaborative and autonomous robots with advanced motion control capabilities.
Collaborative robots: Industry 4.0 technologies are leading to the creation of robots that can safely work alongside humans. These robots adapt to changing environments, perform intricate tasks, and contribute to a flexible and productive production ecosystem.
Market highlights
• Closed-loop systems dominated the market segment with a 51,4% share in 2023. These systems are essential for industries requiring high precision and accuracy, offering functionalities like predictive maintenance and adaptive control.
• The drives segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR, driven by increased automation aimed at enhancing efficiency and productivity. Drives optimise motor performance and energy consumption, aligning with global energy goals like the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario.
• The material handling application segment is projected to grow significantly as providers switch from pneumatic and hydraulic motion control to electric systems. This shift supports the increasing automation of axes and linear actuators for handling heavier loads.
• The automotive sector dominated the industry vertical segment in 2023, heavily relying on automation to enhance production efficiency and precision. The rise of electric, autonomous and connected vehicles necessitates advanced manufacturing technologies and stringent safety standards, met through precise motion control systems.
• The Asia-Pacific Region accounted for a 44,6% market share in 2023, driven by the adoption of robots in manufacturing, government initiatives to promote industrial automation, and investments in modernising production facilities.
Further reading:
A smarter approach to simplifying motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
n motion system design, the wiring and drive placement between motor and drive are often decided by default, yet they shape a machine’s cost, footprint and adaptability. Kollmorgen sets out how single-cable and decentralised architectures simplify the cabinet.
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Robotic case packer achieves 99% uptime
Rockwell Automation
Motion Control & Drives
DCC Automation designed a new robotic case packer for a nutrition supplement manufacturer using delta robots and a unified Rockwell Automation control platform, cutting changeover time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and achieving 99 to 99,5% uptime against the previous 10% per-shift downtime.
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igus puts 3D-printed wear materials to the test
igus
Motion Control & Drives
A new igus white paper compares its tribological iglidur 3D-printing materials directly with conventional POM, reporting lower wear, more stable friction and up to ten times longer service life in gear testing for customised, low-volume and replacement components.
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SEW-EURODRIVE’s expanded local engineering capability
SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE demonstrated how its expanded local engineering capability, digital technologies and lifecycle support strategy help customers improve reliability, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership across the full life of their drive assets.
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Latest Danfoss automation drive
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG has launched the Danfoss iC7-Automation enclosed variable speed drive range in South Africa, backed by significant local stockholding of 400 V models up to 710 kW, approved warranty workshops, and DrivePro digital asset management support.
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Severe-duty workhorses powering mining
Motion Control & Drives
Mining machines such as rock crushers, pumps and conveyors need motors that combine high torque with robust enclosures, seals and cooling. WEG Africa explains how severe-duty motors deliver more than a decade of reliable performance in harsh conditions while meeting modern energy-efficiency standards.
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Looking beyond the spec sheet when choosing motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
When machine builders focus only on torque, speed and price, engineering time, integration effort and long-term maintainability get overlooked. Kollmorgen explains how thinking at the system level, not the component level, leads to better motion architecture choices.
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Economy drive system closes the drive gap in the entry-level segment
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Beckhoff has launched an economy drive system pairing its new AX1000 servo drive and AM1000 servomotor with the AF1000 dual-axis variable frequency drive on a shared EtherCAT platform, targeting series machines and price-sensitive markets without sacrificing TwinCAT integration or functional safety.
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SEW-EURODRIVE showcases modernisation and lifecycle support at Electra Mining Africa 2026
SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa 2026, SEW-EURODRIVE showed how it has expanded beyond equipment supply into integrated engineering solutions, plant modernisation and long-term lifecycle support for mining and industrial operators across Africa.
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Mammoet supports critical heavy lift and marine activities for topsides
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet provided specialised heavy lift and marine logistics support for the Munin topsides on Aker BP’s Yggdrasil North Sea development, including a complex transshipment operation and a tidal-window load-out classified as a Class 1 operation.
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