Launch of EtherCAT Compatible Driver for Megatorque Motor from NSK

Achieving Integrated Control and High-Speed Synchronous Operation of Multiple Motors, Contributing to Improved Production Efficiency in a Wide Range of Applications Including Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment   This Driver supports EtherCAT*1, the industrial Ethernet standard with superior real-time performance. EtherCAT has expanded its market share in recent years, this Driver achieves integrated control and high-speed synchronous operation of multiple motors. Improves the angular resolution*2 of Megatorque Motor*3 by 1.6 times (to 4.19 million divisions per revolution) compared to current products, enabling finer rotational positioning. Scheduled for sequential sales starting in April 2025, supporting a wide range of applications including semiconductor manufacturing equipment.   　NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Akitoshi Ichii) will launch the “EtherCAT Compatible Driver” (“Driver Model EGC” and “Converter Model ECC”, hereinafter “this product”) as a device to drive and control NSK’s high-precision positioning and transport device “Megatorque Motor”. The introduction of this product maintains the high environmental resistance capability of the Megatorque Motor while achieving integrated control of multiple motors, high-speed synchronous operation, and finer rotational positioning. This contributes to improved production efficiency and high-precision positioning in various applications, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment. NSK will exhibit this product at “SEMICON Japan 2024” held at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) from December 11 (Wed) to 13 (Fri), 2024. Based on customer feedback at the exhibition, NSK will start selling this product for two Megatorque Motor models (PS3015, PN4135) in April 2025. Subsequently, NSK plans to line up this product to support a total of 11 Megatorque Motor models by March 2026, aiming for sales of 1.5 billion yen in 2026.