Alva Motors and Copley Drives: A Perfect Match for Precision Applications

By integrating Alva’s high-quality, low-cogging motors with Copley’s advanced drive technology, including BEL, BPL, ADP, AEV, APV, NEP and NPP models, engineers can achieve exceptional motion control. The combination excels in both position and velocity accuracy, making it ideal for applications where precise movements are critical.

Copley’s drives offer versatile control interfaces, extensive feedback options, and advanced safety features, while Alva’s motors bring efficient torque, minimal vibration, and predictable performance across a range of speeds and loads. Together, they provide a solution that simplifies system design, reduces tuning effort, and ensures reliable operation under demanding conditions.

Whether for OEMs designing new high-performance machines or system integrators seeking a dependable motor-drive combination, the Alva-Copley partnership delivers a tested and proven solution for high-precision motion control.

The table below summarizes the compatibility between Alva’s motors and Copley’s motor drives. It highlights which drive models are best suited for each motor, helping engineers and system designers quickly identify the optimal motor-drive combination for applications that demand precision, smooth control, and reliable performance.

¹ Maximum motor torque is constrained by the drive’s current rating.

For Copley drives it’s recommended to use extra inductance when the line-to-line inductance is less than 200uH.

Always consult with Alva and Copley before selecting a motor and drive combination for your application.

Below is an overview of Copley’s motor drive models, highlighting their key features, communication interfaces, and typical use cases. This guide is intended to help engineers understand the differences between the drives and choose the right model for their application when paired with Alva’s motors.

1. BEL (Accelnet Plus – EtherCAT Panel Drive)

High-performance, EtherCAT-based panel drive (Accelnet Plus family) for brushless and brush motors. Offers position, velocity, and torque control via EtherCAT, with programmable digital I/O, advanced encoder support (e.g., incremental, resolver, absolute) and integrated Safe Torque Off circuit.

Ideal for compact, modular EtherCAT systems with real-time control and multi-feedback options.

2. BPL (Accelnet Plus – CANopen Panel Drive)

CANopen counterpart to the BEL; supports DSP-402 motion control in Profile Position, Velocity, Torque, Interpolated Position, and Homing modes.

Offers versatile feedback: incremental encoders, absolute (SSI, EnDat, BiSS, Absolute A), resolver, Halls. Includes multiple programmable digital inputs/outputs, brake output, auxiliary HV input for keep-alive functionality, and integrated Safe Torque Off circuit.  

Best for CANopen-based distributed motion applications needing robust safety and feedback flexibility.

3. ADP (Accelnet Panel Drive – CANopen)

Single-axis CANopen panel drive for brushless motors (20–180 VDC). Enables position, velocity, and torque control via encoder, Halls, or BEMF feedback.

Equipped for standalone or networked use, with support for analog (±10 V), PWM, stepper, and CANopen interfaces. Advanced features include support for BiSS-C absolute, SSI, Sin/Cos encoders, multiple 32-bit filters, frequency analysis, camming/gearing, PVT, and fast indexer functionality.

4. AEV (Accelnet Plus – EtherCAT Module Drive)

EtherCAT-capable micro-module (pin-style, OEM-integrated) drive in the Accelnet Plus family.

Like BEL, supports EtherCAT communications for position, velocity, and torque control, in a compact board-mount format.

Suited for embedded applications with tight space constraints and EtherCAT requirements.

5. APV (Accelnet Plus – CANopen Module Drive)

CANopen-based micro-module drive (OEM pin format), counterpart to AEV.

Provides CANopen communication in a compact, board-mount design.

Ideal for customers needing high-performance CANopen control in embedded or space-sensitive designs.

NEP (NanoPlus EtherCAT Module Drive)

The NEP is part of Copley’s NanoPlus family: a very compact, EtherCAT-based servo drive that can be mounted directly on the motor or inside robotic joints.

Advanced feedback options are available, including dual-encoder setups, absolute encoders (BiSS, SSI, etc.), digital encoders, and halls.

Safety features include Safe Torque Off (STO) compliant with high safety standards.

NPP (NanoPlus CANopen Module Drive)

The NPP is the CANopen‐version of the NanoPlus module drive family. Like the NEP, it is ultra-compact, suitable for embedding in motor assemblies or tight installations.

Feedback options are similarly rich (absolute, incremental, dual encoder, etc.), plus it has STO safety, enabling rigorous control in safety-critical applications

Copley Drive Comparison Table