Applications by Industry
Find the right Portescap and PMD motion solution for your industry.
Overview
Portescap and PMD (Performance Motion Devices) motion solutions aren't limited to any one industry. Miniature, high-precision motor technology that started with Swiss watchmaking in 1931 is now proven across aerospace, medical, robotics, industrial automation, and other fields that demand harsh-environment durability and strict reliability standards. Find the right product line for your industry below.
Aerospace
DO-160G environmental qualification, −55°C to 100°C operating range, high vibration/shock resistance — flight-critical actuation
Medical · Surgical Robotics
Validated for 1,000+ autoclave sterilization cycles, cogging-free smooth rotation — compact, precise actuation for minimally invasive surgical robots
Robotics — Cobots, Humanoids, Exoskeletons
High torque density in a compact frame — driving the hands and joints of robots that work alongside people or assist human movement
Industrial Automation · Pick-and-Place
Millions of high-speed, high-precision repeat cycles with strong acceleration — fast, accurate motion for assembly and inspection lines
Applications by Industry
Aerospace
Modern aviation platforms demand unwavering reliability under extreme temperature, vibration, and shock. Portescap's Aero product line — slotless brushless DC motors, gearheads, and encoders — is tested to the DO-160G environmental standard and manufactured under an AS9100 quality management system.
- Wide operating temperature range: −55°C to +100°C
- High vibration resistance (40 G+) and shock resistance (100 G+)
- Zero-cogging, ultra-quiet operation for precise actuation
- Used in advanced air mobility (AAM), flight control systems, environmental control systems, and more
See Aerospace Motion Solutions →
Medical · Surgical Robotics
Surgical robots and precision medical instruments demand pinpoint accuracy, instant responsiveness, and the durability to withstand repeated sterilization cycles, all at once. Portescap motors are optimized for size, weight, and power consumption in minimally invasive robotic platforms, while still delivering smooth, quiet operation.
- Validated for 1,000+ autoclave sterilization cycles
- Low cogging torque for smooth, precise control — minimal vibration and efficient thermal management
- A wide range of options: slotless and slotted BLDC, disc magnet stepper, and frameless motors
- Custom assemblies integrated with gearing and encoders, built directly into robotic arms and end-effectors
Robotics — Cobots, Humanoids, Exoskeletons
Robots that move alongside people, or for people, need high torque density in a small volume along with natural, quiet motion. In a 2026 humanoid robot hand design, a 16 DCT Athlonix motor (rated torque 5.24 mNm) was used to reproduce roughly 80% of human hand movements.
- Exoskeletons: excellent power density in a compact size, supporting rehabilitation and gait assistance
- Lightweight, efficient designs that integrate naturally with the wearer's movement
- Smooth, quiet operation for responsive control and user comfort
- High efficiency that extends run time for battery-powered robots
Industrial Automation · Pick-and-Place
Pick-and-place equipment on assembly and inspection lines has to hold its accuracy and repeatability through millions of high-speed repeat cycles. Portescap offers a range of motor technologies suited to the application — brushless DC, brush DC, and disc magnet stepper.
- Brushless DC — stable control even at high speed
- Brush DC — consistent acceleration performance and low starting voltage
- Disc magnet stepper — fast positioning with excellent acceleration
- Small footprint, with ball bearing, custom shaft, and encoder options for long service life
Pairing Motors with Motion Control
Across all four industries above, pairing the motor with PMD's motion control ICs, digital drives, and software — rather than the motor alone — shortens design time and maximizes control performance. Portescap and PMD have co-developed integrated solutions such as the PCR 56/06 EC SD for exactly this reason.
See PMD Motion Control Solutions → | Find a motor for your requirements (Selection Guide) → | Talk to an engineer →