The YASKAWA SGM7A-30A7A2E is a high-performance AC servo motor from Yaskawa’s Sigma-7 (SGM7A) family, designed for industrial motion systems that need fast response, stable speed control, and consistent positioning accuracy over long duty cycles. In practical terms, this motor targets the “hard problems” of automation: rapid indexing, tight synchronization, smooth low-speed motion, and repeatable stop accuracy—without turning your mechanical structure into a vibration amplifier.
In modern equipment, the servo motor is rarely an isolated component. It lives inside a full motion stack that includes a servo drive, feedback device, mechanical transmission (coupling, belt, screw, gearbox), and the load itself. The SGM7A platform is engineered to perform well in that whole ecosystem: the motor supports high dynamic response so the drive can correct for disturbances quickly; the feedback system supports fine control and reliable commutation; and the mechanical design aims to keep temperature rise and vibration within predictable limits so performance is stable across shifts, seasons, and real-world operator habits.
Where this motor typically fits
You’ll most often see a model in this class applied to:
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Packaging and converting machines: sealers, cutters, labelers, indexing tables, film handling
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Electronics and semiconductor equipment: pick-and-place axes, inspection stages, feeders
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Machine tools and auxiliary axes: tool changers, rotary tables, part handling
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Robotics and handling systems: linear modules, gantries, synchronized multi-axis motion
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General automation retrofits: upgrading older servo platforms to improve response and reduce tuning effort
The benefit of using a Sigma-7 class motor is not just “it is powerful.” The value is that it stays controllable when you push it: aggressive acceleration profiles, frequent start/stop, and changing loads. That makes cycle time and quality easier to protect, especially when the machine is scaled up or duplicated across multiple lines.
Key Strengths for Real Motion Systems
1) High response with practical stability
High response matters when your process has short cycle times or high disturbance forces (e.g., cutting, pressing, intermittent indexing). A motor like SGM7A-30A7A2E is intended to accept rapid torque commands and settle quickly. The real payoff is less overshoot, shorter settling time, and better tracking when running complex motion profiles. On a production floor, that can mean fewer rejects, better registration, and more consistent throughput.
2) Smoothness at low speed
Many machines operate in regimes where the axis crawls—think tension control, inspection scanning, dispensing, or alignment. Servo systems that are strong at high speed sometimes get “gritty” at low speed due to cogging torque and insufficient feedback resolution. Sigma-7 class motors are built to deliver stable low-speed performance so your process remains smooth and your mechanics don’t chatter themselves loose.
3) Better tuning experience (less “voodoo”)
Servo tuning is where reality punishes theory. A rigid axis behaves nicely; a long belt or flexible structure behaves like a musical instrument with opinions. Motors in this class are typically used with advanced drive functions (e.g., notch filters, vibration suppression, friction compensation, feedforward). The point is not to eliminate tuning, but to make it faster and more repeatable—especially for machines built in batches where every unit is “similar but not identical.”
4) Reliability under continuous duty
Industrial servos fail less from “lack of power” and more from heat, bearings, and wiring. A motor meant for automation duty cycles aims to keep losses manageable and thermal behavior predictable. When the system is designed correctly—proper mounting, ventilation, cable management—this type of motor supports long-term operation with consistent performance.
Specification Summary (Typical Descriptor Table)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Yaskawa Electric |
| Product Family | Sigma-7 Servo System |
| Motor Series | SGM7A (Rotary AC Servo Motor) |
| Model | SGM7A-30A7A2E |
| Motor Type | Permanent magnet synchronous AC servo motor |
| Typical Pairing Drive | Sigma-7 servo drives (e.g., SGD7S family, matched by capacity and voltage class) |
| Feedback | High-resolution encoder (Sigma-7 platform) |
| Control Objectives | Precise speed control, accurate positioning, fast response motion control |
| Common Axis Types | Belt drive axes, ball screw axes, indexing tables, rotary axes, gantry axes |
| Mechanical Interface | Industrial servo mounting flange and shaft interface (per SGM7A frame) |
| Environmental Use | Industrial automation environments; enclosure and IP depend on variant |
| Installation Notes | Use matched drive sizing, correct cable set, proper grounding/shielding, and rigid mounting for best tuning outcomes |
| Typical Industries | Packaging, electronics assembly, machine building, general automation |
Application Guidance (How to Use It Well)
Drive pairing and sizing logic
Servo motors do not work alone; the drive defines current limits, control loops, and protective functions. When selecting the drive, match the voltage class, capacity class, and feedback compatibility. Proper sizing is not “pick the biggest.” Oversizing can reduce control resolution in some regimes and may make tuning harder, while undersizing can cause thermal stress and nuisance alarms. The best selection is where your peak torque demands are met with margin, but continuous torque and thermal limits remain comfortable for your duty cycle.
Mechanical coupling and stiffness
A high-response servo will faithfully expose mechanical weaknesses. Flexible couplings, long belts, and poorly supported screw mounts can create resonances that look like “servo instability.” If the axis is flexible by necessity, plan for it: use stiffness where possible, minimize backlash, and rely on drive filters strategically rather than trying to brute-force gain.
Cable management and EMC discipline
High-performance servo systems generate fast switching waveforms, which is great for control and not great for sloppy grounding. Use proper shielded motor and encoder cables, follow recommended grounding practice, and separate signal cables from power cables. Many “mystery encoder faults” are just cable routing crimes.
Thermal and duty cycle reality
If the axis repeats high-acceleration moves continuously, heat becomes the budget you spend. Ensure adequate mounting surface for heat transfer and leave space for airflow. If the system runs inside a sealed cabinet, consider temperature rise at full production—not just at a short demo.
Why Choose SGM7A-30A7A2E in a Project?
This model is a good fit when you need a motor that behaves well under demanding motion profiles and is intended to integrate cleanly into the Sigma-7 ecosystem. The typical reasons engineers standardize on a Sigma-7 class motor include:
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Shorter cycle time without sacrificing stop accuracy
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Improved motion smoothness for quality-critical processes
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Better repeatability across machines and operating conditions
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More predictable commissioning when paired with matched drives and correct cabling
If your application is a straightforward constant-speed conveyor, this is likely overkill. But for multi-axis automation where timing, settling, and smoothness decide yield and throughput, the SGM7A-30A7A2E class is exactly the sort of motor you want: not because it’s fancy, but because it’s controllable when things get messy.
Suggested Ordering/Listing Notes (SEO-safe, non-gimmicky)
For search indexing and technical clarity, keep the model visible, state the family, and mention the system context:
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Yaskawa Sigma-7 SGM7A Servo Motor SGM7A-30A7A2E
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AC Servo Motor for industrial automation motion control
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Compatible with Sigma-7 servo drives (drive model depends on voltage/capacity)
