Singlemotor

Singlemotor is a term used in engineering to describe a drive arrangement in which a single motor provides actuation for multiple outputs, such as several axes of motion or multiple functions, through a network of gears, belts, cams, or other transmission elements. This approach contrasts with multi-motor systems, where each output is driven by an independent motor.

Design and implementation rely on distributing the motor's torque and motion through a transmission layout that preserves the intended motion ratios. Common strategies include belt and pulley trains, gear trains, rack-and-pinion linkages, and cam-based followers. Some designs couple a single motor with a crank or linkage mechanism to coordinate linear motion across several joints or sliders.

Control considerations arise because the outputs share a drive source. The mechanical integrity of the transmission, including backlash and stiffness, is critical to accuracy. Position sensing may be provided by encoders on the motor or on individual outputs, and control software must compensate for compliance, coupling, and dynamic load changes.

Advantages of singlemotor configurations include reduced cost, weight, wiring, and maintenance, along with potentially smoother power delivery. Disadvantages include reduced fault tolerance (a single fault can affect all outputs), more complex mechanical design, and challenges achieving independent or high-precision motion across outputs.

Applications for singlemotor arrangements appear in compact robotics, certain textile and manufacturing equipment, and hobbyist automation where a single drive source is distributed to multiple actuators via a transmission network. Related topics include gear trains, belt drives, cam mechanisms, and mechanical linkages.