Technical knowledge guide

dCore, dGo, dMove or dPro?

Choose the right Dunkermotoren BLDC motor architecture based on control complexity, feedback, communication, safety and installation requirements.

Find the right variant Compare functions
Short answer

dCore is for external controller. dGo provides simple integrated speed control. dMove adds configurable motion control with I/O or CANopen. dPro provides high-resolution servo control, industrial Ethernet and functional safety options.

dCoreExternal control
Maximum architecture freedom
dGoIntegrated speed control
Minimum complexity
dMoveConfigurable motion
I/O and CANopen
dProPrecision servo
Industrial Ethernet and STO
dCoreChoose when the motor and control electronics must be separated.
dGoChoose when simple, cost sensitive speed control is required.
dMoveChoose when sequence control and CANopen motion control are needed.
dProChoose when precision positioning, real time networking, diagnostics and safety are essential.

Architecture overview

One Platform. Four Variants. Endless Possibilities.

The four variants differ not by performance, but by intelligence. They define which control, communication, and automation functions are available directly at the axis.

External controller

dCore

Compact BLDC motor architecture with Hall feedback and flexible connection to an external controller.

Solves: limited installation space, centralized electronics and freedom of controller choice.

Integrated speed control

dGo

Cost-optimized integrated commutation and speed control for simple analog and digital machine interfaces.

Solves: unnecessary cabinet components, wiring and commissioning for basic speed axes.

Integrated motion control

dMove

Configurable speed, current and positioning functions with stand-alone I/O or CANopen communication.

Solves: motion tasks that need more than speed control but not a high-end servo system.

Integrated servo drive

dPro

High-resolution feedback, field-oriented control, industrial Ethernet, diagnostics and integrated safety options.

Solves: precise, synchronized, networked and safety-related automation tasks.

Maximum freedom

dCore: keep the motor compact and the control external

The problem

Integrated electronics are not always the best fit

The machine may already use a central servo system. The controller may need to remain in a protected cabinet, or the motor location may be exposed to heat, vibration or very limited installation space.

The solution

Separate motor and controller

dCore provides the BLDC motor and rotor position feedback, while commutation, closed-loop control and communication are handled by an external controller.

Technical characteristics

  • Short motor package without integrated control electronics
  • Integrated Hall sensors for rotor position detection
  • Optional incremental or high-resolution encoder feedback
  • Flexible controller placement in the machine or cabinet
  • Suitable for centralized multi-axis architectures
  • Can be paired with suitable Dunkermotoren BGE controllers

Use dCore when

  • • the machine already has an external controller,
  • • electronics must be separated from heat or vibration,
  • • motor length must be minimized,
  • • controller selection and service access must remain flexible.

Simple integrated control

dGo: control speed without an external controller

The problem

A simple axis becomes unnecessarily complex

Many conveyors, pumps, fans and roller drives only need speed, direction and braking. A separate controller, motor phase cabling and fieldbus setup add cost without improving the task.

The solution

Integrate commutation and speed control

dGo combines the motor with compact 4-quadrant electronics. The axis can accelerate, run and brake in both directions through straightforward analog and digital signals.

Technical characteristics

  • Integrated electronic commutation
  • Integrated 4-quadrant speed controller
  • Forward and reverse operation
  • Analog speed input and digital control signals
  • Reduced cabinet space and motor phase cabling
  • Factory parameterization for repeatable commissioning

Use dGo when

  • • the task is primarily speed control,
  • • start, stop and direction commands are sufficient,
  • • no fieldbus or positioning function is required,
  • • system cost, wiring and commissioning effort must be minimized.

Configurable motion

dMove: add motion profiles and CANopen without overengineering

The problem

Speed control alone is not enough

The axis needs current limitation, positioning, homing or configurable I/O. At the same time, high-resolution servo feedback and industrial Ethernet would add unnecessary cost and complexity.

The solution

Move motion intelligence to the axis

dMove integrates a configurable 4-quadrant controller for speed, current and positioning functions. It can work stand-alone through I/O or communicate via CANopen.

Technical characteristics

  • Speed, current and basic position control
  • Stand-alone I/O operation without permanent bus connection
  • CANopen with CiA 301 and CiA 402 functions
  • Configurable digital inputs and outputs plus analog input
  • Homing and profile position functions
  • Drive Assistant 5 and MotionCode support

Use dMove when

  • • the axis must position or limit torque and current,
  • • stand-alone I/O or CANopen is required,
  • • decentralized logic should reduce PLC workload,
  • • dGo is too limited but dPro would be oversized.

High-end integrated control

dPro: precision, connectivity and safety at the axis

The problem

Advanced automation requires more than motion

Precise positioning, smooth torque, synchronized axes, real-time networks, diagnostics and functional safety often require several separate hardware components.

The solution

Combine motor, servo controller and feedback

dPro integrates high-resolution feedback and advanced motor control. Depending on the version, it supports I/O, CANopen, PROFINET, EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP, plus Safe Torque Off.

Technical characteristics

  • Integrated high-resolution encoder and field-oriented control
  • High-resolution speed, current and position control
  • CANopen, PROFINET, EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP
  • Synchronized operation through real-time network functions
  • Integrated STO up to SIL 2 and PL d, depending on version
  • MotionCode, diagnostics and extensive parameter access

Use dPro when

  • • high positioning accuracy or synchronized motion is required,
  • • the PLC uses industrial Ethernet,
  • • integrated functional safety is needed,
  • • diagnostic data and decentralized application logic are important.

Technical comparison

Compare dCore, dGo, dMove and dPro

Use the table as an initial architecture guide. Exact capabilities depend on the selected motor size, feedback system, interface and product version.

Technical criterion dCore dGo dMove dPro
Controller location External Integrated Integrated Integrated or external
Primary control level Defined by external controller Speed control Motion control Advanced servo control
Speed control Via external controller Yes Yes Yes
Current control Via external controller No Yes Yes
Position control Via external controller No Basic resolution High resolution
Stand-alone I/O Depends on controller Yes Yes Yes
CANopen Via external controller No Yes Yes
Industrial Ethernet Via external controller No No PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP
MotionCode With suitable external controller No Yes Yes
Integrated STO With suitable external controller No No Yes, depending on version
Best suited for Flexible split architectures Simple speed axes Configurable motion axes Precise, connected and safety-oriented axes

Always verify the final combination against the current product data and application requirements.

Quick selection

Which variant should you use?

Do you already have an external controller or have limited space?

Choose dCore

Do you only need speed, direction and easy to use pre-sets?

Choose dGo

Do you need positioning, configurable I/O or CANopen?

Choose dMove

Do you need precision, industrial Ethernet, synchronization or STO?

Choose dPro

Portfolio availability

Available motor sizes

Not every control architecture is available for every motor diameter. The following overview reflects the portfolio structure in the referenced product catalogue and should be checked against current product availability.

Motor size dCore dGo dMove dPro
BGA 22 Available Available Not listed Not listed
BG 32 Available Not listed Not listed Not listed
BG 42 Available Available Available Not listed
BG 45 Available Available Available Available
BG 62 Available Not listed Not listed Not listed
BG 65 Available Not listed Available Not listed
BG 66 Available Not listed Available Available
BG 75 Available Not listed Available Available
BG 95 Available Not listed Not listed Available

Stack lengths, voltage ranges, protection classes, connector options and interfaces vary by motor and product version.

Do you have an KI/SI/CI/PI/MI/EB/PB motor? Here are our transition guidelines

One modular drive platform

Combine each architecture with the modular system

The control variant defines the electronic architecture. The mechanical drive can still be configured around the application. Depending on the selected motor size, compatible components include:

  • Planetary gearboxes
  • Angular, bevel and worm gearboxes
  • Hub wheel gearboxes
  • Incremental and absolute encoders
  • Power-on and power-off brakes
  • External and integrated controllers
  • Application-specific shafts
  • Cables, connectors and protection options

Next step

Configure the right motor and control architecture

Select torque, speed, voltage, interface, gearbox, brake and encoder requirements in the Dunkermotoren configurator, or discuss the application with an engineer.

Configure your driveContact us