Teknic homepage

ClearPath Motor Selection Guide

In order to suit a wide variety of customers and applications, we have a lot of part numbers. However, we understand that this can make it difficult to find the perfect motor for your application. We'd like to help you narrow it down a bit.

Use this quick guide and click the "Show My Results" button when you're finished to see a table of results. You will then be able to tweak the table at your discretion if you're not satisfied with the results.

Step 1 of 3 - Choose Series

SD
Control with Step & Direction

If you have a PLC, indexer, or a CNC controller with step & direction (or quadrature A/B) outputs, you can use ClearPath-SD to get servo-controlled performance in a compact, low-cost package.

ClearPath-SD is also an easy upgrade over stepper motors giving you smoother, quieter, and more precise closed-loop motion.

watch videovideo play button
MC
Control with Digital I/O

The MC-series is the easiest way to get high-performance motion control. Select one of thirteen operation modes, and control position, velocity, or torque with just simple digital signals.

Control with simple switches, sensors, or programmable devices like microcontrollers or PLCs.

watch videovideo play button
SC
Control with Software API

Get full software control of ClearPath with the SC-series. Change motion parameters, capture encoder position, get diagnostic data, and more.

Rich, intuitive C++ library makes programming easy and efficient. Download for free.

watch videovideo play button

Step 2 of 3 - Choose Model & Motor Size(s)

Both models share the same state-of-the-art servo performance. Choose based on power and price.

SDSK Models
"Stepper Killer"
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque13 - 165 oz-in57 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power38 - 267 watts170 - 397 watts
Peak Power100 - 838 watts220 - 919 watts
Price (1-9)$257 & up$335 & up
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 874 oz-in
Cont. Power1.32 - 2.14 hp
Peak Power1.5 - 3.0 hp
Price (1-9)$931 & up
SDHP Models
High Power
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque20 - 165 oz-in67 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power91 - 298 watts203 - 429 watts
Peak Power272 - 1464 watts286 - 1584 watts
Price (1-9)$447 & up$581 & up
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 1,890 oz-in
Cont. Power1.32 - 4.0 hp
Peak Power4.7 - 7.74 hp
Price (1-9)$993 & up

Step 2 of 3 - Choose Model

The MCVC is primarily for velocity applications; the MCPV for positioning. Choose based on your application and price.

MCVC Models
Velocity Control
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque13 - 165 oz-in57 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power38 - 298 watts170 - 429 watts
Price (1-9)$249 & up$290 & up
Operating Modes7 Modes
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 1,890 oz-in
Cont. Power1.2 - 4.0 hp
Price (1-9)$698 & up
Operating Modes7 Modes
MCPV Models
Position & Velocity
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque13 - 165 oz-in57 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power38 - 298 watts170 - 429 watts
Price (1-9)$327 & up$404 & up
Operating Modes7 MCVC modes + 6 more
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 1,890 oz-in
Cont. Power1.32 - 4.0 hp
Price (1-9)$885 & up
Operating Modes7 MCVC modes + 6 more

Step 2 of 3 - Choose Model

Both models share the same state-of-the-art servo performance. Choose based on power and price.

SCSK Models
Lower power, lowest cost position control
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque13 - 165 oz-in57 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power38 - 213 watts170 - 280 watts
Peak Power100 - 213 watts220 - 280 watts
Price (1-9)$309 & up$404 & up
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 874 oz-in
Cont. Power1.32 - 2.14 hp
Peak Power1.5 - 3.0 hp
Price (1-9)$986 & up
SCHP Models
High peak power, faster moves
Fractional hp / DC Input
NEMA Size 2334
Cont. Torque20 - 165 oz-in67 - 478 oz-in
Cont. Power91 - 298 watts203 - 429 watts
Peak Power272 - 1464 watts286 - 1584 watts
Price (1-9)$509 & up$620 & up
Integral hp / AC Input
NEMA Size 56, 143, IEC D100
Cont. Torque563 - 1,890 oz-in
Cont. Power1.32 - 4.0 hp
Peak Power4.7 - 7.74 hp
Price (1-9)$1044 & up

Step 3 of 3 - Choose Specifications

How much continuous (RMS) torque do you need for your application?

Step 3 of 3 - Choose Power Range

How much continuous (RMS) torque do you need for your application?

Step 3 of 3 - Choose Power Range

How much continuous (RMS) torque do you need for your application?

MCVC Operating Modes

MCVC models come with seven operating modes. Read the descriptions below to see if MCVC has the right operating mode for your application.

TitleDescription
Ramp Up/Down to Selected VelocityThis mode could be a good fit if you are working on an application that requires accurate velocity control and switching between four or less specific velocities.
Spin on Power UpIf you have a very simple velocity-control application that only requires one speed, use this mode.
Follow Digital Velocity CommandIf you are working on an application that requires accurate velocity control with a wide or continuously variable range of possible speeds, watch this video. To use this mode, you supply a frequency or PWM command signal that is proportional to your desired speed.
Manual Velocity ControlFor velocity control applications where you need to smoothly increase and decrease speed. Don't be fooled by the name, this mode can work with Quad A and Quad B signals programmed from a PLC as well.
Follow Digital Torque CommandIf you are working on an application that only requires precise torque control (web tensioning, constant force/torque axes), ClearPath's Follow Digital Torque mode is a simple and cost effective way to achieve your constant torque needs with simple digital inputs (frequency and PWM).
Move to Absolute Position (2 positions)For applications that require positioning control between two absolute locations on your axis. For example, a two position pneumatic axis.
Move to Sensor PositionFor applications that require positioning control between two sensor locations on your axis.

MCPV Operating Modes

MCPV models come with thirteen operating modes. Read the descriptions below to see if MCPV has the right operating mode for your application.

TitleDescription
Move to Absolute Position (2 positions)For applications that require positioning control between two absolute locations on your axis. For example, a two position pneumatic axis.
Move to Sensor PositionFor applications that require positioning control between two sensor locations on your axis.
Ramp Up/Down to Selected VelocityThis mode could be a good fit if you are working on an application that requires accurate velocity control and switching between four or less specific velocities.
Spin on Power UpIf you have a very simple velocity-control application that only requires one speed, use this mode.
Follow Digital Velocity CommandIf you are working on an application that requires accurate velocity control with a wide or continuously variable range of possible speeds, watch this video. To use this mode, you supply a frequency or PWM command signal that is proportional to your desired speed.
Manual Velocity ControlFor velocity control applications where you need to smoothly increase and decrease speed. Don't be fooled by the name, this mode can work with Quad A and Quad B signals programmed from a PLC as well.
Follow Digital Torque CommandIf you are working on an application that only requires precise torque control (web tensioning, constant force/torque axes), ClearPath's Follow Digital Torque mode is a simple and cost effective way to achieve your constant torque needs with simple digital inputs (frequency and PWM).
Move to Absolute Position (4 positions)For applications that require positioning control to four or less absolute locations on your axis.
Move to Absolute Position (16 positions)For applications that require positioning control to sixteen or less absolute locations on your axis.
Move Incremental DistanceTrigger ClearPath to move a user-defined distance (one of four) from its current position. You can also send multiple, quick trigger pulses to tell ClearPath to travel a multiple of any of its user-defined distances in one smooth move.
Pulse Burst PositioningUse a timer/counter on your PLC (or a simple circuit) to send a burst of pulses to ClearPath, and it will move a distance proportional to the number of pulses sent, at your pre-selected speed and acceleration.
Follow Digital Position CommandClearPath will move at a user-defined velocity to a position proportional to the frequency or PWM duty cycle of a digital waveform.
Multi-Sensor PositioningDefine multiple positions using sensors or switches, and trigger ClearPath to start moving and continue until it sees the next sensor transition (or a user-specified number of sensor transitions).