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Motor Sizing For Load Calculator

Work out motor sizing for load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Motor Sizing For Load Calculator

Sizing a motor for a linear axis means covering two cases: peak force during acceleration (mass times acceleration plus friction) and continuous force at steady speed (friction alone). Power is force times velocity, so peak power can be several times the continuous figure on a fast-accelerating axis.

Formula

Linear axis sizing

F_peak = m x (v/t) + mu m g; P = F x v

Worked example

With the default values below, Motor Sizing For Load Calculator returns Peak power required of 49.64. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Moved mass
25 kg
Target velocity
0.5 m/s
Acceleration time
0.2 s
Friction coefficient
0.15

Results

Peak power required
49.64 W
Acceleration force
62.50 N
Friction force
36.78 N
Steady-state power
18.39 W

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Linear axis sizing
  3. 3Peak power required= 49.64 W
  4. 4Acceleration force= 62.50 N
  5. 5Friction force= 36.78 N
  6. 6Steady-state power= 18.39 W

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I size on peak or continuous power?

Both. The motor must survive the peak torque without demagnetising or saturating the drive, and the RMS over the cycle must stay within the continuous rating.

What is missing from this model?

Gravity on inclined axes, cutting or process forces, and the inertia of the transmission itself, which on a fast axis can exceed the load inertia.

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