Precision drive system tech at Medical Technology Ireland

(See maxon at MachineBuilding.Live, 15 October 2025, on stand 103)

The company will show micromotors, gear heads, and controls designed for a range of medical applications. New releases presented for the first time at the exhibition will include joints for surgical robots, as well as the zero-backlash and high efficiency strain wave gearheads, plus an expansion of the brand's multi-axis controller range.

Optimising precise control for surgical robots, maxon will display the HPJ High-Precision Joint module. Comprising the motor, gear head, control electronics, sensors, brakes, and safety, the design is based around a hollow shaft for flexible robot integration. The HPJ modules range from 74mm to 146mm outside diameter, with peak torque up to 484 Nm. The HPJ will also be joined by the new High-Efficiency Joint HEJ that achieves up to 86% efficiency, designed for mobile, battery-powered systems.

maxon's new GSW A strain wave gearheads will also be at Medical Technology Ireland, designed for medical applications requiring precision motion control and high torque transmission in a compact 55mm diameter by 30mm long design. Based on the principle of elastic deformation, the strain wave gear ensures that the teeth remain in constant engagement, achieving virtually zero-backlash and high efficiency. Due to special low friction losses, maxon strain wave gearheads can also be back driven more easily, allowing a robotic arm to be manually moved when the system is powered off.

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, maxon's precision drive systems are based on DC and BLDC motor technology, ranging from motors just 4mm diameter, scaling up to a power output of 1kW. Developed for precision control applications vital to the medical sector, the brand's ironless winding technology removes cogging to give smooth torque delivery. This characteristic is essential for applications such as pump control to deliver microlitre accuracy, while minimal vibration and efficiency are crucial for hand-held surgical tools as well as prosthetics.

Achieving ISO 13485 medical certification and meeting clean room environment standards, maxon also manufacturers biocompatible, miniaturised motors for active implants. This includes heart assist implants for continuous mechanical circulatory support, as well as implanted drives for drug delivery.

maxon will also present its range of controllers that provide modulation of speed and position as well as multi-axis coordination for up to six axes. With design options including PCBs for embedded integration, various communications protocols are supported including Profinet, CANopen, and EtherCAT.

At Medical Technology Ireland, maxon's lead Technical Sales Engineer for Ireland, Martin Leahy, will be joined by Matthew Dean, maxon UK and Ireland's medical sector specialist engineer. Martin and Matthew will advise on drive system specification for specific medical applications, including customisation, as well as the integration of transmission components such as spindle drives for linear motion.

"maxon offers an extensive catalogue of drive system products for medical applications, and our specialisation is on customisation to achieve specific application needs," explains Martin. "We're attending Medical Technology Ireland to discuss drive system design and integration with medical technology engineers, backed by the support of maxon's research and development and manufacturing teams in Switzerland."