Description
Hard-Numbers: Technical Specifications
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Motor Type: Brushless permanent magnet synchronous servo (3-phase, 6-pole)
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Rated Speed: 3000 RPM
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Rated Power: 1.4 kW (1.9 hp)
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Rated Torque: 3.0 Nm (at 3000 RPM)
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Peak Torque: 9.0 Nm (3× rated, limited by drive current capacity)
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Holding Torque (Standstill): 3.0 Nm
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Rated Current: 4.3 A RMS
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Standstill Current: 2.3 A RMS (corresponds to holding torque)
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Peak Current: 11 A RMS (corresponds to peak torque)
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Torque Constant (K_T): 1.65 Nm/A (line-to-line)
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Voltage Constant (K_E): 97 mV/min (line-to-line back-EMF)
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Winding Resistance (R_20): 6.3 Ω (line-to-line, cold)
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Winding Inductance (L): 35 mH (line-to-line)
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Rotor Inertia: 0.42 × 10⁻⁴ kg·m² (0.42 kg·cm²)
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Mechanical Time Constant: ~2.5 ms
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Thermal Time Constant: 20 minutes (winding), 45 minutes (housing)
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Insulation Class: F (155°C) with Class B temperature rise (80K)
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Protection Class: IP65 (dust-tight, low-pressure water jet protected)
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Vibration Class: N (per DIN EN 60034-14)
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Mounting: IEC 57mm square flange, 14mm keyed shaft (optional smooth shaft)
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Shaft Load: 150 N radial (max at shaft end), 90 N axial
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Brake Option: 24 VDC holding brake (optional +G suffix), 3.8A inrush, 0.5A holding
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Feedback Device: Resolver (2-pole, standard) or incremental encoder (optional)
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Operating Temperature: 0°C to +40°C (ambient, derate above 40°C)
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Storage Temperature: -20°C to +70°C
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Weight: 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs) with brake, ~3.8 kg without
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Dimensions: 57 × 57 mm flange, ~200 mm length (with brake)
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Compatible Drives: Kollmorgen Servostar CD/S300/S600, Digifas series, third-party 400V-class servo amplifiers
Kollmorgen 6SM57M-3.000
The Real-World Problem It Solves
Material handling systems and conveyor lines need motors that can accelerate heavy loads quickly, hold position against gravity, and run continuously without overheating—all in a compact footprint that fits tight machine frames. The 6SM57M-3.000 eliminates the “too weak, too big, or too slow” compromise by delivering 3 Nm of torque in a 57mm package with enough peak capacity (9 Nm) to handle dynamic loads and friction spikes. It handles the messy reality of indexing conveyors, pallet stops, and vertical lifts where you need torque headroom without stepping up to a 77mm or 107mm frame.
Where you’ll typically find it:
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Automated conveyor systems with pallet-based product routing and positioning
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Material handling gantries and pick-and-place units in packaging machinery
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Vertical axis drives in assembly equipment with 24V holding brake for power-off safety
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Indexing tables and rotary feeders requiring fast acceleration to 3000 RPM
This motor keeps your axes moving with authority—no oversized gearboxes, no thermal shutdowns during peak loads, just compact 57mm-frame performance with real torque overhead.
Hardware Architecture & Under-the-Hood Logic
The 6SM57M-3.000 isn’t just a scaled-up stepper—it’s a true AC servo with rare-earth magnet rotor and distributed stator windings optimized for 400V/480V bus operation. The 6-pole design provides smoother torque ripple than 4-pole alternatives, while the high torque constant (1.65 Nm/A) reduces current demand for a given torque output, lowering I²R losses and heat generation. The compact frame concentrates heat in the windings, requiring careful thermal management in continuous duty applications.
Internal Construction:
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Stator Assembly: Laminated steel core with distributed 3-phase windings, vacuum-impregnated for thermal conduction and mechanical integrity
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Rotor Assembly: Surface-mounted NdFeB rare-earth magnets on steel hub, banded for high-speed retention (tested to 1.2× max speed)
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Feedback Device: 2-pole resolver (10-bit resolution typical) or optical encoder mounted to rear shaft, isolated from motor heat
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Holding Brake: Spring-applied, electrically released disc brake with 24VDC coil, engages when power removed for vertical axis safety
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Thermal Protection: PTC thermistors embedded in windings (130°C trip) for drive-based overload protection
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Bearing System: Sealed ball bearings (greased for life), rated for 20,000 hours at rated load and speed
Kollmorgen 6SM57M-3.000
Field Service Pitfalls: What Rookies Get Wrong
Assuming 9.0 Nm Peak Means 9.0 Nm Continuous
The 9.0 Nm peak rating is for transient acceleration only—typically limited to a few seconds by the drive’s peak current capacity and the motor’s thermal time constant. Rookies size gearboxes and mechanics for 9 Nm continuous, then watch the motor overheat and trip thermal protection during sustained operation.
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Field Rule: Size your mechanics for 3.0 Nm rated torque, use 9.0 Nm only for acceleration/deceleration transients. Calculate the RMS torque for your motion profile—if it exceeds 3.0 Nm, you need a larger motor or a duty cycle reduction. Monitor the PTC thermistor resistance during commissioning; if it trends toward 1.5kΩ (130°C trip point) during normal operation, your RMS load is too high.
Mixing Up the 6SM57M and 6SM57S Variants
The S variant has lower torque (2.0 Nm rated) and different electrical parameters (2.8A rated, 1.33 Nm/A torque constant). Engineers grab an S from stores thinking it’s an M, install it, and wonder why the axis won’t accelerate fast enough or the drive faults on overload.
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Quick Fix: Verify the nameplate suffix before installation. The M variant has 50% more torque but requires 50% more current (4.3A vs 2.8A). If you must substitute, recalculate the torque requirements—an S variant in an M application will run at 67% capacity and may not reach peak speeds. Check the drive’s motor database; if it doesn’t have the exact variant, enter the parameters manually from the motor datasheet (torque constant, resistance, inductance, inertia).
Ignoring the 24V Brake Inrush Current Reality
The holding brake draws 3.8A at 24VDC to release—far more than the 0.5A holding current. Rookies size the brake power supply for holding current only, then watch the supply sag and the brake chatter or fail to release when the axis tries to move, causing drive faults or mechanical damage.
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Field Rule: Size the brake power supply for 3.8A inrush, not 0.5A holding. Use a supply with at least 5A capacity, or add a dedicated brake relay with a large capacitor (1000μF, 35V) to handle the inrush. Wire the brake through the drive’s brake output (which typically has a current limit and timing control) or use an external relay with a suppression diode (1N4007 or better). Check brake release time with a scope—if it’s >100ms from command to full release, your supply is sagging or the brake air gap has increased from wear. Measure the air gap annually; if it exceeds 0.5mm, the brake needs service or replacement.




