Robot Joint Actuators: Integrated Actuator Selection Guide
An integrated robot joint actuator combines a motor, transmission, encoder and drive electronics, but those integrations do not remove the need for system-level sizing. Continuous torque, peak torque, output speed and thermal duty must be evaluated together at the real bus voltage, ambient temperature and motion profile. A peak figure without duration or temperature conditions is not a design point. Provide suppliers with a joint load trace or a conservative sequence of torque, speed and dwell states. Require confirmation of thermal limits, transmission behavior, feedback architecture, communication timing, mechanical interfaces and the software needed to commission multiple axes.
How to shortlist
Continuous and transient torque
Separate steady torque from acceleration, impact and holding events. State event duration and repetition so the supplier can evaluate RMS loading and thermal recovery.
Torque-speed operating points
Plot required output torque against output speed for the motion cycle. Confirm which points are continuous, intermittent or regenerative and at what bus voltage they are valid.
Transmission behavior
Compare reduction ratio, backlash, torsional stiffness, efficiency, backdrivability and reflected inertia against control and safety requirements.
Feedback architecture
Determine whether motor-side and output-side encoders are required, whether position is absolute after power-up, and how multi-turn position, homing and calibration are handled.
Thermal path and duty
State ambient temperature, enclosure, mounting heat path, airflow and allowed surface temperature. Ask for derating and protection behavior under the proposed cycle.
Power system
Check nominal and maximum voltage, peak and RMS current, inrush, shared-bus sizing, regeneration, braking, fusing, grounding and emergency power removal.
Control and communications
Confirm supported torque, velocity, position and impedance modes; bus protocol and update rate; time synchronization; fault telemetry; parameter tools; SDKs; and multi-axis examples.
Mechanical and service integration
Review output bearings and allowable loads, shaft and housing interfaces, cable routing, ingress protection, brake options, lubrication, replaceable parts and field-replacement procedure.
Matching catalog models
33 modelsSide-by-side specifications
| Model | Gear | Encoder | Quote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspire RobotsBLACF30 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsBLAC30 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsBLASF10 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsBLAS10 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsBLAC05 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLASF30 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLASF16 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLAF30 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLAS30 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLAS16 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLAS10 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
| Inspire RobotsLA50 | — | — | — | — | — | Inquiry | Quote |
† Manufacturer-reported, not yet independently verified.
Include these details for a comparable quote
- Joint torque and speed trace or a timed worst-case motion sequence
- Continuous, peak, holding and impact loads with event durations
- Required range of motion, output speed, acceleration and positioning behavior
- Radial, axial and overturning loads at the actuator output
- Backlash, stiffness, backdrivability and brake requirements
- Ambient temperature, enclosure, heat sinking and allowed surface temperature
- Bus voltage, current limits, regeneration and emergency-stop architecture
- Encoder, absolute-position, homing and output-feedback requirements
- CAN or other network topology, control modes, update rate and SDK language
- Mechanical drawings, connectors, cables, ingress protection and service plan