Source Engineering

What Source Engineering does

Source Engineering Inc. (SEI) is a privately-held OEM manufacturer of precision motion control components, founded in 1998 and headquartered at 3283-H De La Cruz Blvd., Santa Clara, California. The company produces planetary gearboxes (across Economy, Precision Economy, High Precision, Rotating, AGV, and Custom series), frameless BLDC servo motors (inner and outer rotor configurations), brush DC gearmotors, planetary DC gearmotors, worm gearmotors, and fully integrated ZD Series humanoid joint modules. Stated technical capabilities include per-stage planetary gearbox efficiency up to 97%, backlash as low as 1 arcmin in high-precision models, and integrated humanoid joint modules achieving 115 Nm/Kg torque density. Target end-markets are industrial automation, robotics (including collaborative, service, and humanoid robots), renewable energy (solar tracking, wind turbine gearboxes), and aerospace applications.

The business model is direct B2B OEM sales: a combination of standard catalog products (with downloadable PDF catalogs and dimensional drawings) and custom-engineered solutions for customers requiring tailored gear ratios, windings, or mounting configurations. Pricing is not disclosed online and is handled through direct contact with a small sales team (contacts include [email protected] and [email protected], phone (408) 980-9822). Marketing relies on a content-rich website with technical guides (e.g., a multi-section planetary gearbox guide) targeting engineering buyers during the design-in phase. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales plus custom OEM engineering engagements, with the company claiming global reach and customers worldwide, supported by a deliberately lean disclosed headcount of 1-10 employees and no disclosed institutional funding or parent company.

Name

Source Engineering

Legal name

Source Engineering Inc.

Website

https://sei-automation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Source Engineering Inc. (SEI) is a privately-held OEM manufacturer founded in 1998 in Santa Clara, California, producing planetary gearboxes, frameless BLDC servo motors, gearmotors, and integrated humanoid joint modules for industrial automation, robotics, renewable energy, and aerospace customers worldwide via direct B2B sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Motion Control Components

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers (IMAGACAF), DC Motors (Brushed, Brushless DC) (IMAGACAB), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Precision motion control
• Planetary gearboxes
• Frameless servo motors
• Humanoid joint modules
• OEM motor manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Precision Motor and Gearbox Hardware Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of standard and custom precision motors, gearboxes, and integrated motion control modules. The company offers OEM solutions serving as both a standard product catalog and custom manufacturer, with products including planetary gearboxes, frameless servo motors, brush DC gearmotors, worm gearmotors, and humanoid joint modules. Revenue is primarily one-time hardware sales with potential for recurring custom OEM project engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Source Engineering manufactures and sells precision motors, gearboxes, and integrated motion control modules for OEM customers in robotics, industrial automation, humanoid robotics, renewable energy, and aerospace applications. The product line includes planetary gearboxes, frameless BLDC servo motors, brush DC and brushless DC gearmotors, planetary DC gearmotors, worm gearmotors, stepping motors, and integrated humanoid joint modules, offered as both standard catalog products and custom-engineered OEM solutions.

Product overview

Source Engineering is a motion control and power transmission components manufacturer providing OEM solutions since 1998. The product portfolio centers on planetary gearboxes (Economy, Precision Economy, High Precision, Rotating, and AGV series), frameless servo motors (inner rotor and outer rotor configurations), humanoid joint modules, and various gearmotor types including brush DC, brushless DC, and worm gearmotors. The company operates as a component supplier for robotics, industrial automation, humanoid robots, renewable energy, and semiconductor equipment applications, offering both standard products and custom engineering solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Planetary Gearbox Cost-effective planetary gearheads offering high torque density, precision, and compact size for robotics, automation, and industrial applications, including Economy, Precision Economy, High Precision, Rotating, AGV, and Custom series.
• Frameless Servo Motor Frameless BLDC servo motors consisting of rotor and stator assemblies for direct integration into customer mechanisms, available in inner rotor and outer rotor configurations optimized for robotics applications requiring high torque density and smooth operation.
• Humanoid Joint Module Fully integrated joint modules combining frameless torque motor, harmonic or planetary gearbox, precision bearings, and servo drive electronics designed for humanoid robots, cobots, and rehabilitation robots. Available in ZD53, ZD70, ZD76, ZD86, ZD90, ZD94, ZD113, and ZD155 models.
• Brush DC Gearmotor PMDC brush gearmotors providing reliable high-torque performance in compact packages, available in parallel shaft and spiral bevel right angle configurations.
• Brushless DC Gearmotor High-efficiency BLDC motors combined with gearboxes for compact power transmission in automation applications.
• Planetary DC Gearmotor Helical planetary gearmotors combined with BLDC or PMDC motors offering powerful torque and low noise operation, available in brushless and brush configurations.
• Stand-Alone Wormgear and Worm Gearmotor Worm gearmotors and standalone worm gear reducers with 90-degree output configuration, available in multiple model series with inherent self-locking, low noise operation, and customizable configurations.
• Stepping Motors Precision stepper motors for controlled angular positioning in automation applications.
• Economy Series Planetary Gearbox Cost-effective planetary gearhead sub-line including SEP, SEPR, SEPB, SEPRB, and PNX (Helical) series with up to 97% efficiency, low noise (58-60 dB), and modular design with customizable gear ratios and configurations.
• Precision Economy Series Planetary Gearbox SAE, SAEWR, SAF, SAFWR, SBF, and SBFWR series planetary gearboxes offering precision and quality at economy pricing with IP65 protection and backlash as low as 5 arcmin or less.
• High Precision Series Planetary Gearbox SB, SBR, SE, and SER series helical gear planetary gearboxes with high precision, high efficiency (97% or greater), and low backlash (1 arcmin or less) for demanding industrial automation and robotics applications.
• Rotating Series Planetary Gearbox SD and SDR series compact planetary gearboxes with rotating flange. The SD series offers 1 arcmin or less backlash and 97% or greater efficiency; the SDR series features right angle configuration with spiral bevel gears.
• AGV Series Planetary Gearbox SPG, SDPG, SRS, and SAGV series planetary gearheads engineered for AGVs and AMRs, featuring high torque density, compact design, and durability for continuous operation environments.
• Custom Series Planetary Gearbox Customized planetary gearboxes manufactured to meet specific application requirements or customer-provided designs for specialized OEM needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Economy Series planetary gearbox efficiency up to 97%
• +5 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Maxon Group: Maxon is a global leader in precision DC and BLDC motors, gearheads, encoders, and servo controllers — directly comparable to Source Engineering's frameless servo motors, gearmotors, and motion control component portfolio.
• Anaheim Automation: Anaheim Automation offers a broad catalog of stepper motors, BLDC motors, gearmotors, and motion control accessories targeting OEM and automation customers — a direct catalog competitor with similar product breadth to Source Engineering.
• Allied Motion Technologies: Allied Motion designs and manufactures precision motion control components including motors, gearmotors, drives, and integrated motion solutions — a direct peer to Source Engineering across the precision motion component value chain.
• Servo Dynamics: Servo Dynamics supplies servo motors, BLDC motors, gearboxes, and integrated motion solutions for industrial automation, robotics, and aerospace — directly comparable to Source Engineering's precision motion control and OEM custom offering.
• Harmonic Drive Systems (now part of Nabtesco): Harmonic Drive is a leading manufacturer of harmonic gear reducers and precision servo actuators used in robotics, semiconductor, and aerospace — directly comparable to Source Engineering's planetary gearboxes and integrated humanoid joint modules.
• Faulhaber: Faulhaber produces miniature and precision BLDC motors, gearheads, and encoders for robotics, medical, and aerospace — directly comparable to Source Engineering's frameless servo motor and precision gearbox product lines.
• Wittenstein: Wittenstein manufactures high-precision planetary gearboxes and servo actuators for robotics and machine building — directly comparable to Source Engineering's high-precision planetary gearbox series and humanoid actuator offering.

Broad incumbents

• Kollmorgen: Kollmorgen is an established broad-line motion control supplier offering servo motors, drives, gearheads, and integrated motion solutions — overlapping with Source Engineering's portfolio but at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin's Motion & Control Technologies group supplies motors, gearboxes, drives, and electromechanical systems globally — a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to Source Engineering's precision motion control offerings.
• Nidec Corporation: Nidec is a global motor manufacturing giant with growing presence in servo motors, BLDC motors, and motion control — a broad incumbent competing in several of the same motor and drive categories as Source Engineering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Source Engineering