Two brakes, one technology – the perfect duo

With the Slim PM, Kendrion has launched a compact permanent magnet brake for servo motors with low to medium torques. The new series is aimed at applications in automation, medical technology, and robotics. Crucially for OEMs, it's not just the brake itself that matters, but its integration into the system: Kendrion's Slim PM and High Torque Line utilize the same mechanical and electrical interface. This allows different torque ranges to be covered with a consistent brake technology, without requiring a redesign of the motor. Customers only pay for the precise torque actually needed in their specific application.

In a market where product variety and cost pressures are increasing simultaneously, cost-effective brake concepts are in high demand. According to Kendrion, around 70 percent of servo motor applications operate in the mid- and low-torque range. This is precisely where the Slim PM comes in. It is designed as an economical solution for high-volume applications, such as in automation technology, robotics, conveyor technology, machine tools, and packaging machinery.

The key advantage of the Slim PM lies not in a single feature, but in the combination of standardization, cost-effectiveness, and precise design. Kendrion completely redesigned the brake's magnetic circuit. This resulted in a structure that simplifies the overall system and reduces material usage and manufacturing costs. This, in turn, lowers material and production costs. At the same time, the Slim PM is designed for an extended temperature range and uses the same motor interface as the company's proven high-torque permanent magnet brake.

Expand your modular brake system without additional effort

For servo motor manufacturers, this is precisely the crucial point. They can expand their modular brake system in the low- and medium-torque range without incurring additional costs in design, assembly, or documentation. Instead of having to manage various brake technologies in parallel, the motor manufacturer remains within a single system architecture. This reduces internal overhead and facilitates the scaling of entire motor families. "We wanted to develop a permanent magnet brake that could be seamlessly integrated into existing structures," explains Waldemar Schaermann, Product Manager at Kendrion. “The Slim PM is therefore not intended as an isolated solution, but rather as a complement to our High Torque Line. Two brakes, one system – that’s our approach.”

Another aspect is the competitive position of European manufacturers. While less expensive spring-applied brakes are often used in comparable applications in the Asian market, Kendrion consistently relies on permanent magnet technology. With the Slim PM, the company now aims to offer this technology at a cost level that was previously more achievable with spring-applied brakes.

The Slim PM was presented at the end of 2025 at the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg, where it received a broad response. The company is currently working with several customers on integrating the new brake, both into new motor generations and existing platforms. According to Waldemar Schaermann, customer feedback perfectly encapsulates Kendrion’s brake concept: “These are exactly the innovations we are currently looking for.”