STEPPER MOTORS
WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL

Compact. Decentralized. Directly integrable.

Stepper motors with integrated control
for your positioning task.

Motor, power electronics, and positioning controller in a single unit—from NEMA 17 to NEMA 34, with holding torque from 0.5 to 12 Nm.

As a manufacturer, GUNDA develops and produces integrated stepper motors in-house for machine building, industrial automation and precise positioning tasks. Colibri drives reduce wiring effort, save space in the control cabinet and simplify commissioning. Colibri 4.0 is available with PROFINET, EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP, depending on the version.

Select the size, housing type, and interface. Configure available models in the shop or discuss your requirements directly with us.

Design of a Colibri stepper motor with integrated control
Motor, encoder, power electronics, and positioning control as a compact unit.
What You Gain in Mechanical Engineering

Your benefits with integrated stepper motors.

Save Space

More space in the control cabinet.

The power electronics are located on the motor. A separate motor driver in the control cabinet is no longer needed.

Less wiring

Shorter distances to the axis.

The motor and power electronics are already connected—for less wiring effort in the machine design.

Easy commissioning

Set parameters precisely.

With Colibri Studio, you can set parameters and perform test runs via USB or Ethernet.

Decentralized motion

Positioning functions in the drive.

Motion functions are executed directly in the drive—tailored to decentralized machine concepts.

Reduce effort

Fewer separate components.

The motor, controller, and power electronics form a single unit. This simplifies planning and installation.

Customized solutions

In-house development and manufacturing.

In-house development and manufacturing ensure quick response times for technical questions and custom requirements.

Colibri 4.0 · Stepper motors with integrated controller

Compare integrated stepper motors
from NEMA 17 to NEMA 34.

From the NEMA 17 stepper motor to the high-torque NEMA 34 compact drive: Compare technical specifications and then select your model in the store.

Still unsure? We’ll help you make your selection →
Technical Specifications and Options for Stepper Motors with Controller
FIVE SERIESA direct
comparison.
Colibri 17 4.0 INLINE – NEMA 17 stepper motor with integrated controllerCOLIBRI 4.017 INLINEColibri 17 4.0 – NEMA 17 stepper motor with integrated controllerCOLIBRI 4.017Colibri 23 4.0 – NEMA 23 stepper motor with integrated controllerCOLIBRI 4.023Colibri 24 4.0 – NEMA 24 stepper motor with integrated controllerCOLIBRI 4.024Colibri 34 4.0 – NEMA 34 stepper motor with integrated controllerCOLIBRI 4.034
01 / Size and Power
NEMA Size1717232434
Flange Size · mm42 × 4242 × 4257 × 5760 × 6086 × 86
Holding torque · Nm0.50.50.6 / 1.2 / 23up to 12
Design / ConnectionsInlineStandard / CompactStandard / CompactStandard / CompactStandard / Compact
Connection directionRadial or axialStandard: toward the shaft
Compact: upward
Standard: toward the shaft
Compact: upward
Standard: toward the shaft
Compact: upward
Standard: toward the shaft
Compact: upward
Motor output stage voltage24–48 VDC24–48 VDC24–48 VDC24–48 VDC24–48 VDC
02 / Integrated Technology and Communication
Positioning Control + Power Electronics✔✔✔✔✔
Incremental encoder✔✔✔✔✔
PROFINET / EtherCAT / EtherNet/IP¹ Option Option Option Option Option
CANopen¹Check
version
Option Option OptionCheck
version
03 / Options for Your Application
Brake—Not available—Not available Option Option Option
Multiturn absolute encoder Option Option Option Option Option
Planetary gearbox Option Option Option Option Option
STO safety functionUpon request
Check version
Option Option Option Option
Data sheet · PDF
Your next stepNEMA 17 INLINE
Select in the store ↗
NEMA 17
Select in the store ↗
NEMA 23
Select in the store ↗
NEMA 24
Select in the store ↗
NEMA 34
Select in the store ↗
✔ Standard✔ Option Optionally available— Not availableCheck version: no blanket approval

¹ Select the interface version that matches your PLC. The listed protocols are not automatically included simultaneously. Additional options depend on the size and product variant.

Housing types shown: Standard, Compact, and Inline
Housing type and connection orientation

Suitable for the installation space and cable routing.

For NEMA 17, NEMA 23, NEMA 24 and NEMA 34, choose a standard or compact housing. The NEMA 17 Inline offers radial or axial connections.

Standard – Example of housing shape and connection orientation
StandardConnections facing forward, toward the shaft. Available for NEMA 17, 23, 24, and 34.
Compact – Example of housing shape and connection orientation
CompactConnections facing upward. Available for NEMA 17, 23, 24, and 34.
NEMA 17 Inline – Example of housing shape and connection orientation
NEMA 17 InlineRadial or axial connection options—to suit your installation situation.
Holding torque is not the same as operating torque.

To size your stepper motor with integrated control, consider speed, load, acceleration and duty cycle. Check the torque-speed curve in MotorFinder or work with us to select the right drive.

Select · configure · request a quote

Your integrated stepper motor.
The models in detail.

Select your series. You can then specify the motor length, housing type, and interface in the shop or in consultation with us.

Colibri 17 4.0 – NEMA 17 stepper motor with integrated controller
NEMA 17 · Integrated stepper motor

Colibri 17 4.0

The compact NEMA 17 stepper motor with controller for small machines, devices, and laboratory automation.

Holding torque0.5 Nm
Typical Areas of Application

Typical Applications for
Stepper Motors with Controllers.

Whether feeding, positioning, or adjusting: integrated stepper motors combine a compact design with industrial communication. Load, motion profile, and installation space are crucial for selecting the right motor.

Positioning

Machines and automation.

For feeding systems, handling axes, and positioning movements with repeatable positions.

Space-saving

Devices and laboratory automation.

Compact, integrated stepper motors for limited installation space and short cable runs.

Integrate

Decentralized axis systems.

Motor, electronics, and communication directly on the axis—coordinated with the higher-level controller.Discover axis systems →

Technology and Features

What the Colibri 4.0 series has to offer.

Integrated control of the Colibri stepper motors

Integrated control

  • Positioning control and power electronics in the motor
  • Compact all-in-one solution
  • Decentralized machine architecture
Industrial Ethernet & Fieldbus for Colibri Stepper Motors

Industrial Ethernet & Fieldbus

  • PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP
  • CANopen depending on the model
  • TIA Portal and CODESYS integration
Industrial-grade version of the Colibri stepper motors

Industrial-grade version

  • Industrial connectors; M8 for inline design
  • Motor supply 24–48 VDC
  • Separate 24 VDC logic supply
  • Optional IP54, integrated reverse polarity protection
  • Without forced ventilation, up to 50 °C ambient temperature according to series specifications; check model
Optional expansions for Colibri stepper motors

Optional expansions

  • Brake starting with NEMA 23 and planetary gearheads
  • Multiturn absolute encoders
  • Digital 24 V inputs/outputs
  • Limit switch connection; STO optional, inline for NEMA 17 upon request

Features and availability depend on the selected model. The corresponding product data sheets and other technical documentation can be found on the linked product pages in the store.

Existing machines and classic interfaces

Colibri 3.0 with BAC or Profibus.

In addition to Colibri 4.0, we continue to offer proven stepper motors with integrated control for existing machine designs. The BAC basic I/O controller executes stored motion and positioning sequences with or without an external PLC. The Colibri CFG tool allows you to configure the BAC motion sequences without traditional programming. Profibus versions support integration into existing systems.

Match the motor and mechanics

Stepper motor with gearbox
for your application.

Our stepper motors are also available with planetary gearheads. A suitable gear ratio optimizes speed and torque for the application. We’ll help you select the right motor, controller, and gearhead.

NEMA 34 stepper motor with integrated controller and planetary gearbox
Integrated stepper motor with planetary gearbox—tailored to the load and motion profile.
From Design to Commissioning

Design the right solution.
Easy commissioning.

MotorFinder for designing stepper motors based on load and motion profile
Design and compare.

MotorFinder:
Design the right drive.

Enter load and motion profile, check torque and speed: MotorFinder helps you select your stepper motor with controller—even with a gearbox.

Colibri Studio for parameterization and diagnostics of integrated stepper motors
Configure and diagnose.

Colibri Studio:
Easily configure the drive.

The free software for parameterization, test runs, and diagnostics. Connect your Colibri drive via Ethernet or USB and tailor the settings to your machine.

Servo motors with integrated controller from GUNDA Automation
Motor, controller, and power electronics as a compact, integrated servo drive.
Additional drive solutions from GUNDA

Servo motors with integrated controllers.
For dynamic motion applications.

In addition to our stepper motors with controllers, we offer compact servo motors with integrated controllers for highly dynamic and demanding positioning tasks.

The integrated servo drives combine the motor, controller, and power electronics into a single unit. They reduce wiring effort, save space in the control cabinet, and facilitate integration into machines and decentralized axis systems.

Good to know

Questions about stepper motors with integrated control.

What is a stepper motor with integrated control?

A stepper motor with integrated control combines the motor, driver or power stage and positioning controller in one compact drive unit. A separate stepper motor controller in the control cabinet is no longer required. Our Colibri drives also include an encoder for position detection and monitoring. Interfaces and functionality depend on the series and version.

What are the advantages of a controller integrated directly into the motor?

The integrated controller reduces the amount of wiring required between the motor and the power electronics and saves space in the control cabinet. Motion functions are executed directly within the drive. This simplifies the design of decentralized machine concepts and enables a compact combination of motor, electronics, and communication.

What sizes are available for the Colibri stepper motors?

The Colibri 4.0 series includes NEMA 17, NEMA 23, NEMA 24 and NEMA 34. An Inline version is also available for NEMA 17. Motor lengths, torque ratings, housing types and options vary by size. Choose the drive to match the mechanical and electrical requirements of your application.

How do I select the right motor size?

The decisive factors are the required torque at the intended speed, load and mass inertia, acceleration, duty cycle, and installation space. The holding torque alone is not sufficient for selection. Additionally, the torque-speed characteristic curve and the permissible axial and radial shaft loads must be taken into account. The MotorFinder assists with the selection based on the motion and load data.

What interfaces do the integrated stepper motors support?

Colibri 4.0 is available with PROFINET, EtherCAT, or EtherNet/IP, depending on the size and version. CANopen is also documented for certain versions. Older Colibri series and BAC versions offer, depending on the model, digital I/O, pulse/direction, RS485, CANopen, or PROFIBUS-DP. Not every interface is available for every size; the specific device version selected determines availability.

Can Colibri drives be connected directly to a PLC?

Yes. With the appropriate communication interface, Colibri drives can be integrated directly into a PLC system. With Colibri 4.0, for example, positioning commands and motion parameters are transmitted via Industrial Ethernet. The drive executes the motion and returns status and diagnostic information. BAC versions can alternatively be controlled via digital I/O or pulse/direction.

How does the PROFINET connection to a Siemens PLC work?

TIA libraries and function blocks are available for the PROFINET version. The PLC sends control commands and motion parameters to the drive. The PROFINET manual covers absolute and relative positioning, homing, jog mode and stop commands. The drive reports status, faults, current position and actual speed to the PLC.

How are Colibri 4.0 drives configured on a PC?

PC configuration is performed using Colibri Studio via the interface provided for the device model. The data sheets specify Ethernet TCP/IP with the ASCII protocol or USB, particularly for EtherCAT and certain CANopen models. This allows parameters to be set and supports commissioning. In older documentation, the configuration software is also referred to as Colibri40 Config.

Is direct control via a PC possible?

Yes. The Colibri 4.0 data sheets describe direct PC control via the configuration interface, including simple laboratory and test applications. Suitably equipped devices can use Ethernet TCP/IP with an ASCII protocol. Monitoring functions such as a heartbeat help supervise communication. Available commands and connections depend on the device version.

What supply voltages do the integrated stepper motors require?

The motor driver operates at 24–48 VDC for all Colibri 4.0 models described here. The separate logic power supply requires 24 VDC. Different values apply to older BAC models: For example, the Colibri 23 BAC is documented with a control voltage of 24–36 VDC and a motor voltage of 24–48 VDC, while the Colibri Kompakt 34 BAC is documented with 24–36 VDC and 24–60 VDC. The nameplate and data sheet for the specific drive are always authoritative.

What is the function of the integrated encoder?

The integrated encoder detects motor movement and enables the position to be determined or monitored. When monitoring is activated, deviations between the specified and actual movement can be detected. The available responses and feedback depend on the controller and parameter settings. An encoder alone does not mean that every model operates in a controlled manner like a servo drive.

Are absolute encoders available?

Absolute encoders are available as an option for various Colibri 4.0 models; multiturn encoders are also available for several sizes. Availability depends on the size and device model. Whether a reference run is required and how the position is acquired after power-up depends on the encoder used and the configuration.

How does the BAC version differ from Colibri 4.0 with Industrial Ethernet?

The BAC version supports positioning tasks using digital I/O, pulse/direction or optional RS485 communication. Depending on the operating mode, stored motion profiles can be selected or program sequences executed. Colibri 4.0 with Industrial Ethernet connects to the machine controller via PROFINET, EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP and exchanges motion commands, status and diagnostic data through the selected interface.

When is an integrated stepper motor with a gearbox a good choice?

A gearbox is useful when you need a lower output speed or higher output torque. The ratio also changes the load inertia reflected to the motor and the output motion resolution. Consider efficiency, backlash, permissible loads and the required positioning accuracy when selecting a gearbox. Gearboxes are optionally available depending on the Colibri version.

What connections and protection ratings are available?

The Colibri 4.0 data sheets mainly specify M8 connectors for NEMA 17 and M12 connectors for NEMA 23, NEMA 24 and NEMA 34. Additional sensor or I/O connectors may be provided depending on the version. The documented protection ratings are IP40 as standard and IP54 as an option. Check the connector type, protection rating and mating connectors in the relevant data sheet.

Are digital inputs and outputs as well as a brake available?

Depending on the version, Colibri 4.0 offers additional 24 V digital inputs and outputs for sensors or valves. A brake is optionally available for NEMA 23, NEMA 24 and NEMA 34. A brake is not available for NEMA 17. Select the equipment to suit the motor size and application.

Is the STO safety function available?

STO (Safe Torque Off) is optionally available for Colibri 4.0 in NEMA 17, NEMA 23, NEMA 24 and NEMA 34 sizes. For NEMA 17 Inline, STO is available on request; we will check the specific version with you. STO prevents the generation of motor torque. Refer to the documentation for the selected version for its safety-related specifications.

For which applications are stepper motors with integrated control suitable?

Typical applications include positioning axes, feeders, dosing systems, packaging machines, handling systems, and laboratory automation. Integrated stepper motors are particularly useful where compact drives and decentralized installation are required. Suitability depends on the required torque, speed, dynamics, and environmental conditions.

Personal contact at GUNDA Automation
Personalized support in selecting and designing your drive solution.
Personal. Technical. Direct.

Your stepper motor with controller.
Designed together to fit your needs.

You know your application; we know our drives. Together, we’ll determine torque, speed, installation space, and interface —from the right standard drive to a custom design.

To make a specific selection, please provide us with the load, motion profile, supply voltage, and desired communication protocol. Send us the available data—we’ll work together to clarify any open questions.

+49 (0) 7529 99 79 000