NiLAB

What NiLAB does

NiLAB GmbH is a privately held Austrian industrial automation company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria. The company researches, develops, produces, and supplies linear motion systems, including tubular linear motors, ironcore linear motors, roto-linear motors, linear axes and units, AC and DC servo drives (Epulse, MBD, SBD, TBS1, Xtrapuls series), controllers (Linux-based SMART, CODESYS 3.5-based FCT640), EtherCAT gateways (GTW-ETH), and supporting automation software. Its "Think Electric" positioning targets electric linear motors as direct replacements for pneumatic actuators in food, pharmaceutical, beverage, machine tool, paper/textile, and woodworking production environments, with documented ISO 15552 and IP69K-compliant product variants.

The company sells through an enterprise field-sales model coordinated from Klagenfurt via a worldwide expert network, supplemented by partner and customer portals, multi-language websites in German, Italian, and English, and downloadable technical documentation. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of motors and drives, one-time software licenses for configuration tools (NiLAB STARTER, EPULSE Starter), and professional services for customer-specific linear actuator development. Certifications across CE, UL, cUL, and ISO indicate compliance positioning for both EU and North American industrial OEMs.

NiLAB is led by CEO Dott. Mag. Marco Gavesi with co-founder Catherine Pirker in Sales and Marketing, and reports a 1-10 employee headcount. Despite its small size, the product catalog spans from miniature motors for medical/life science applications up to 200A AC servo controllers and integrated rotary actuators, indicating a vertically broad component strategy aimed at machine builders and system integrators across multiple industrial verticals.

Name

NiLAB

Legal name

NiLAB GmbH

Website

https://nilab.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NiLAB GmbH designs, produces, and supplies tubular and ironcore linear motors, servo drives, controllers, and automation software for industrial automation customers in food, pharmaceutical, machine tool, and adjacent verticals across Europe and North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Motion Control Systems

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Linear Motion & Actuation (Linear Motors, Electric Cylinders, Actuators) (IMAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers (IMAGACAF)

Keywords

• Linear motor systems
• Industrial automation
• Servo drives
• Motion control
• Brushless motors

Headquarters

HQ city

Klagenfurt

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Linear Motor Sales: Sale of tubular linear motors, ironcore linear motors, and roto-linear motors for industrial automation applications
2. Servo Drive and Controller Sales: Sale of AC and DC servo controllers, servo drives (Epulse, Xtrapuls, MBD, SBD series), and PLC/CNC/HMI controllers
3. Linear Axes and Motion Systems: Sale of linear axes, linear units (GDM, LM, LMA, NLXY, ULCO series), and motion system accessories
4. Automation Software Licenses: Sale of automation software products including EPULSE Starter, NiLAB STARTER, and configuration tools
5. Custom Product Development: Development of linear actuators according to customer specifications as custom solutions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NiLAB researches, develops, produces, and supplies linear motion systems including tubular linear motors, ironcore linear motors, and roto-linear motors, as well as linear axes, AC and DC servo drives, brushless servo motors, PLC/CNC/HMI controllers, and automation software. In addition to standard products, the company develops custom linear actuators to customer specifications, targeting industrial automation applications across food processing, pharmaceutical, machine tools, beverage, paper/textile, and woodworking industries.

Product overview

NiLAB is a complete solutions provider for linear and rotary motion, offering an integrated portfolio of tubular linear motors, ironcore linear motors, roto-linear motors, linear axes, brushless servo motors, AC/DC servo drives, controllers, and automation software. The product ecosystem centers on three main linear motor categories: Miniature Linear Motors (for pharmaceutical, medical, and life science applications), Green Drive Linear Motors (electric replacements for pneumatic actuators with ISO 15552 and IP69K variants), and Ironcore Linear Motors (high-force L and R series for industrial automation). Supporting these motors are Linear Units including LM stages, LMA actuators, NLXY dual-axis tables, and ULCO belt-driven units. The motion control stack includes MBM brushless servo motors (0.1-1000 Nm), servo drives spanning low-voltage Epulse (battery applications), MBD (3-42A), SBD (standalone IEC61131 programmable), TBS1 (24VDC), and Xtrapuls series (230/480VAC with up to 200A). Controllers include the Linux-based SMART series (PLC/CNC/HMI with Industry 4.0 features) and CODESYS 3.5-based FCT640 modular controller. Software tools comprise NiLAB STARTER (drive configuration), EPULSE Starter (vehicle drive programming), and Reversed Encoder Configuration Tool. The GTW-ETH EtherCAT gateway enables integration of NLi motors into EtherCAT networks. Accessories include encoders, interpolators, magnetic springs (MagLift), safety light curtains, cooling systems, and mechanical components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Miniature Linear Motors Tubular linear motors in miniaturized form factors for precise positioning in space-constrained applications, targeting pharmaceutical, medical, and life science industries.
• Green Drive Linear Motors Electric linear actuators serving as direct replacements for pneumatic actuators, with ISO 15552 and ISO IP69K compatibility for food, beverage, and washdown applications.
• Ironcore Linear Motors High-force ironcore linear motors including Standard L, Hygienic L, Secondary L, and R Series for industrial automation and machine tool applications.
• Linear Units Complete linear motion stages including LM 030/050/075 ironcore stages, LMA linear actuators, NLXY dual-axis tables, and ULCO belt-driven units.
• Brushless Servo Motors (MBM Series) AC brushless servo motors ranging from 0.1 to 1000 Nm torque with flange sizes from 32mm to 320mm, designed for industrial automation, robotics, and machine tools.
• Servo Drives AC and DC servo drive controllers including Epulse (low-voltage battery applications), MBD, SBD stand-alone, TBS1, and Xtrapuls series with various power ratings and fieldbus interfaces.
• Controllers (PLC/CNC/HMI) PLC/CNC/HMI controllers including SMART (Linux-based, Industry 4.0 ready) and FCT640 modular controller (CODESYS 3.5 based) for distributed automation and motion control.
• Automation Software PC-based configuration and programming software including NiLAB STARTER for drive configuration, EPULSE Starter for low-voltage drives, and Reversed Encoder Configuration Tool.
• GTW-ETH EtherCAT Gateway DIN-rail mountable EtherCAT gateway enabling NLi series motors with integrated drives to connect to EtherCAT networks, supporting CANopen, MODBUS-RTU, and digital I/O synchronization for up to 10 motors.
• Hollow Shaft Motorized Rotary Actuator - Series ARM & ABM Integrated rotary actuators combining hollow shaft brushless servo motors, zero-backlash gearboxes, and absolute multiturn feedback. Torque range from 25 Nm to 1040 Nm with ultra-compact dimensions.
• Integrated Brushless Servo Drive (IBD) Decentralized brushless servo drive integrated directly onto the motor, featuring IEC61131 programming, DS402 motion profiles, and EtherCAT/CANopen interfaces. Available in sizes 60, 80, 100, 142, and 190 with torque from 1.2 to 30 Nm.
• Epulse30/50 Low-Voltage Servo Drives Low-voltage DC servo drives for battery-powered applications. EPULSE30 delivers up to 50A (1.8kW) and EPULSE50 delivers up to 100A (3.6kW) at 36VDC nominal input.
• Epulse360 High-Current Low-Voltage Servo Drive High-current low-voltage servo drive for battery applications, delivering up to 300A peak with 4.7kW maximum installed power. Supports various motor feedback types including Hall sensors, resolver, and incremental encoders.
• XtrapulsPac AC Servo Controller Flexible AC servo controller at 230/480VAC with real-time capabilities. Features DS402 with Master/Slave, stand-alone positioner, and current up to 200A.
• XtrapulsPacHP High-Performance AC Servo Controller High-performance AC servo controller with IGBT power stage, current up to 200A, and advanced features including electronic gearing, cam, and analog control. Supports multiple encoder types and EtherCAT/CANopen/PROFINET.
• SMART Series PLC/CNC/HMI Controller Linux-based PLC/CNC/HMI controller for distributed automation with SCADA capabilities, supporting Modbus RTU/TCP, CANopen, and EtherCAT. Industry 4.0 solution with network connectivity, VNC remote control, and database access.
• Master Controller FCT640 Modular Modular compact PLC controller based on CODESYS 3.5 with integrated I/Os. Features EtherCAT Master, CANopen Master, 1GB NAND flash, and OPC-UA connectivity for Industry 4.0.
• NiLAB STARTER Software PC software for quick configuration of integrated drives in miniature and standard linear motors. Features motion control table programming, 4-channel oscilloscope, real-time diagnostics, and MODBUS RTU communication console.
• EPULSE Starter Software PC software for programming low-voltage EPULSE 30/50/360 servo drives. Features vehicle dashboard visualization, tachometer, battery status monitoring, and drive diagnostics.
• Custom Linear Actuators Customer-specific linear actuator development according to individual specifications, provided in addition to the standard product offerings for industrial automation customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings through elimination of pneumatic compressor systems and compressed air distribution
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature12 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Rexroth: Global leader in linear motion technology (iron-core and iron-less linear motors, linear axes, drives, controllers). Competes with NiLAB across most product categories with much deeper channel and installed base.
• Yaskawa Electric: Global motion control leader (Sigma-7 servos, Sigma-X drives, MPiec controllers). Competes with NiLAB across the full motion stack, especially in machine tool and factory automation.
• Parker Hannifin (Electromechanical & Drives): Global motion control supplier offering servo motors, servo drives (Compax3/PSD), and linear actuators. Overlaps with NiLAB's MBM servo motors, servo drive families, and linear axis products.
• Beckhoff Automation: EtherCAT pioneer offering PC-based controllers, drives (AX5000 / AMI8100), and integrated motion. Competes with NiLAB's FCT640 EtherCAT master controllers and fieldbus-integrated drives.
• Festo: Dominant pneumatics supplier now aggressively expanding into electric linear motion (e.g., ELGE/EGSL lines). Directly competes with NiLAB's Green Drive pneumatic-replacement positioning.
• Kollmorgen (Danaher): Established supplier of servo motors (AKM), servo drives (AKD), and linear motion solutions. Comparable to NiLAB across MBM-class servo motors and Xtrapuls-class drives.
• Siemens (SIMOTION / SINAMICS): Major supplier of servo drives, motion controllers, and SIMOTION PLCs. Competes with NiLAB's Xtrapuls drives, SMART series, and FCT640 controllers in industrial automation accounts.

Direct peers

• ETEL (Heidenhain Group): Swiss specialist in high-performance linear and torque motors with direct-drive positioning. Closest peer to NiLAB in terms of motor-focused specialization and European industrial DNA.
• LinMot: Swiss manufacturer of tubular linear motors and linear motion modules with integrated drives. Most direct head-to-head competitor to NiLAB in tubular linear motors and the pneumatic-to-electric replacement value proposition.

Emerging players

• Anaheim Automation: Smaller, catalog-style supplier of stepper and servo motion products. Comparable in scale to NiLAB and competes in cost-sensitive motion control accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxdmAHj8IIUC6s57iQWTvgA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nilab-srl
• Facebookfacebook.com/nilabgmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 NiLAB