Motor integrated into a bearing or guide without any other drive components such as gears, timing belts or spindles.
"Direct drive" is a term used to describe a type of drive where the drive is attached directly to the shaft without the use of a gearbox or coupling. In the context of rolling bearings, this means that the bearing is typically used as part of a drive system where the rotor is attached directly to the shaft of the bearing.
Rolling bearings are components used to reduce frictional resistance between two moving parts. They consist of a number of rolling elements (balls, cylinders or cones) running in an inner and outer ring. The rotor of the direct drive is usually connected to the inner ring of the bearing, while the outer ring is connected to the housing or another part of the drive system.
The advantage of a direct drive is that it allows the drive power to be efficiently transmitted to the bearing shaft, as there are no losses through a gearbox or coupling. This improves the overall performance of the drive system. Another advantage is that direct drives are generally less complex than systems with gearboxes and couplings, making them easier to maintain and operate.