For laboratory automation applications with size limitations, Nanotec Electronic Inc, Medford, Mass, has developed the PD2-C, an electronically commutated (EC) motor with a flange size of 42 mm and integrated motor controller and encoder. It is available as a stepper motor with an operating voltage of 12-48 V and a nominal torque of 0.5 Nm, as well as a brushless DC (BLDC) motor with a nominal output of 105 W and a peak output of up to 315 W. A field-oriented control causes the stepper motor to behave like a high-pole DC servo, with a higher torque but lower nominal speed than a BLDC motor. As a result, many applications can be realized without gearing. The motor controller can be purchased as a standalone unit with USB connection, with its motors actuated either via clock-direction or by a set value specified on the analog input. The controller also comes in a CANopen version, where motors are actuated via field bus according to CAN in Automation (CiA) 402. Both versions support application programs executed directly in the motor controller. For more information, visit Nanotec.