Precise motor control and drive systems engineered to improve performance, efficiency, safety and operational reliability.
Drives and motion control systems are fundamental to the safe and efficient operation of industrial equipment. From simple speed regulation to complex multi-axis positioning, they determine how machines start, move, accelerate and stop. At FAIRFIELDS, we design and integrate drive systems that provide accurate control, protect mechanical assets and optimise energy use. Our engineers work with leading manufacturers and a wide range of motor technologies to deliver drive solutions suited to demanding industrial environments, critical infrastructure and complex automated machinery.
Enquire about Drives & Motion ControlDrives and motion control systems are fundamental to the safe and efficient operation of industrial equipment. From simple speed regulation to complex multi-axis positioning, they determine how machines start, move, accelerate and stop. At FAIRFIELDS, we design and integrate drive systems that provide accurate control, protect mechanical assets and optimise energy use. Our engineers work with leading manufacturers and a wide range of motor technologies to deliver drive solutions suited to demanding industrial environments, critical infrastructure and complex automated machinery.
Drives and motion control systems sit at the heart of many industrial processes. They regulate the speed, torque and positioning of motors that power machinery, conveyors, pumps, cranes, bridges and other critical equipment. Selecting the correct drive architecture is essential to achieving reliable operation, safe machine behaviour and efficient energy use.
At FAIRFIELDS, we design and integrate drive systems as part of wider control and automation solutions. This includes low voltage AC and DC variable speed drives, servo systems, and multi-axis motion control platforms where precise positioning or synchronisation is required. Our engineers evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the equipment, the operational requirements of the process and the safety functions required before defining the most appropriate drive technology.
Drives can deliver significant operational benefits beyond basic motor control. Features such as torque limiting protect mechanical components from overload. Controlled acceleration reduces mechanical stress during start-up. Regenerative drive systems can recover energy from braking or high-inertia systems, improving energy efficiency.
Modern drives also provide extensive diagnostic and operational data. By integrating drives with PLC systems, SCADA platforms and industrial networks, we enable operators and maintenance teams to monitor performance, identify faults and optimise process behaviour.
Because FAIRFIELDS is vendor independent, we are able to select the most appropriate technology for each application. Our engineers regularly work with drive systems from Siemens, ABB, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Lenze, Bosch Rexroth and other leading manufacturers to deliver reliable, maintainable and well-supported solutions.
Our drive and motion control solutions support a wide range of industrial and infrastructure applications, including:
• Variable speed drive (VSD) systems
• Servo motion and precision positioning
• Multi-axis synchronised motion control
• Torque control and load sharing applications
• Energy optimisation and regenerative drive systems
• Drive-based safety functions including Safe Torque Off
• Integration with PLC, SCADA and safety systems
• Drive system upgrades and obsolescence management
• Vendor-agnostic drive selection and integration
• Commissioning, testing and lifecycle support
But what does it included?
Variable Speed Drives
Variable Speed Drives allow motors to operate at the exact speed required by a process rather than running continuously at full output. This improves process control, reduces mechanical stress during start-up and shutdown, and can significantly reduce energy consumption. VSDs are commonly applied to pumps, fans, conveyors and rotating machinery where demand varies during operation.
Servo Motion Control
Servo systems provide highly accurate positioning and dynamic motion control. They are typically used where precise movement, synchronisation or rapid response is required. Applications include automated machinery, pick-and-place systems, coordinated multi-axis positioning and complex mechanical movements that cannot be achieved using standard variable speed drives.
Integrated Safety Functions
Many modern drive systems include integrated safety capabilities such as Safe Torque Off (STO), safe speed monitoring and safe brake control. These functions allow machines to remain powered while preventing hazardous motion, reducing restart times and simplifying safety system architecture when designed as part of a wider functional safety strategy.
Energy Efficiency and Regeneration
Drive systems can deliver significant energy savings by matching motor output to actual process demand. In applications involving braking or high inertia loads, regenerative drives can return energy to the electrical network rather than dissipating it as heat through braking resistors, improving efficiency and reducing operating costs.
Drive Integration and Control
Drives are rarely standalone components. Our engineers integrate drive systems with PLC control platforms, safety systems, instrumentation and industrial networks to create coordinated control architectures. This allows real-time monitoring, diagnostics and performance optimisation across the entire machine or process.