legacy architectures, and heterogeneous engineering environments. Systems are difficult to plan, complex to implement, and only partially scalable. This need is what shapes Lenze’s strategic realignment and Dr. Marc Wucherer’s vision for the future of drive technology. “Many customers are struggling with
the bes axit a s
achine and plant builders today need technology that makes their work easier. They struggle with different components,
availability, greater process transparency, and the ability to scale intralogistics systems flexibly. The Best Axis delivers optimal motion and makes complex material flows manageable.
excessive complexity today,” says Wucherer. “Our task is to make this complexity manageable again, in engineering, commissioning, and day-to-day operation.” The CEO of the Lenze Group describes the
challenges faced by many customers as a turning point: powerful components, intelligent controllers and digital tools are available. More and more functions, interfaces, safety requirements, and software elements are meeting shorter project timelines and increasing cost pressure. Yet this must remain manageable.
At the heart of Lenze’s realignment is a clear vision: the Best Axis for every customer application. The Best Axis is not a single product. It is a value proposition created within the application context. Mechatronics, electronics, software, artificial intelligence (AI) and services are coordinated in such a way that a motion task becomes an integrated, manageable, and economical solution. “For us, the Best Axis is more than the sum of individual components,” says Wucherer. “It is the result of perfectly coordinated mechatronics, electronics, software, AI, and services, designed from the customer and application perspective.”
The value of the Best Axis is particularly evident in two areas: increased productivity and ease of use. Lenze’s approach reduces engineering and integration effort, simplifies integration into existing automation architectures, and accelerates the path from planning to productive operation. The benchmark is the best motion outcome for the customer. One example of the Best Axis is conveyor
systems in parcel distribution centres, distribution warehouses, etc. These consist of interconnected motion axes, each of which must operate reliably. However, they only realise their full potential as a Best Axis within the overall system. Decentralised drive solutions such as the i650 motec frequency inverter enable conveyor modules to be implemented directly at the machine, reducing wiring effort and control cabinet size. Standardised software modules and integrated engineering tools simplify the commissioning of new conveyor segments and accelerate future expansions. In environments with modular conveyor
systems, the Best Axis enables faster expansion of existing facilities. Operators benefit from high
The starting point of the axis is mechatronics. Motors, gearboxes, and their accessory and mounting options are tailored to the specific application. Only the right combination of torque and speed provides the foundation for reliable and efficient motion. Integrated solutions such as the Lenze m650-F, which combines motor, gearbox, and drive in a single system, reduce space requirements, weight and installation effort. Electronics provide the motion intelligence and
flexibility. Scalable drives, safety functions, open interfaces, and consistent product platforms enable powerful motion solutions for different machine concepts, from centralised installations to decentralised architectures. Examples include the decentralised i650 motec frequency inverter with integrated Logic PLC and regenerative energy feedback, as well as the i950 servo drive.
The intelligence of the axis is created through software and AI, making complex motion tasks easier to manage, shortening engineering times, and unlocking new opportunities for optimisation. Software connects mechanics, drives, controllers, and data into an end-to-end system, from engineering and commissioning through diagnostics, optimisation, and AI-supported services. Tools such as the Lenze FAST Toolbox enable solutions to be implemented faster, and open standards such as OPC UA enable flexible integration into existing automation environments. Lenze’s accompanying services ensure the performance of the Best Axis through its lifecycle. “Usability is also crucial for me,” explains Peter Sürig, senior vice president Portfolio & Industry Management. “How easily the solution can be implemented and operated by the customer is one of the key outcomes of the Best Axis.”
Implementation is based on a portfolio strategy. Servo motors, frequency inverters, gearboxes, and AC motors are developed as coordinated platforms and follow common principles regarding usability, scalability, and system integration. The interaction of these platforms creates a comprehensive motion portfolio that simplifies the selection, design, and integration of drive solutions. Based on a modular system architecture, a wide range of application requirements can be covered and configured for specific needs. In this way, Lenze combines the efficiency of standardised platforms with the flexibility of customised motion solutions.
The Best Axis approach is the result of a comprehensive transformation. Through the
Services Electronics ftw wr Mecha ics M chatronics
P85 strategy program, Lenze is preparing for the future. It is guided by a simple question: What do customers really need to make their machines more powerful? Over many years, Lenze has continuously
expanded its portfolio. With P85, Lenze is sharpening its profile: automation, software, and digitalisation remain key elements, but they are clearly repositioned as enablers of the company’s true core competence: drive technology. “We do not want to do everything. We want
to do what we do better than anyone else. Our focus is on our strength: intelligent motion control,” summarises Dr. Marc Wucherer.
With advancing digitalisation and the growing possibilities of AI, the Best Axis continues to evolve. Lenze aims to further simplify the engineering, commissioning, and operation of machines while unlocking new levels of efficiency and performance. One focus area is AI- and agent- based engineering solutions. To support this, Lenze is investing in AI innovation projects. Together with EPLAN and other industry
partners, Lenze is also exploring how collaborative engineering can reduce complexity. The focus is on how technical changes, product adaptations, or software updates can be evaluated more quickly, implemented more securely, and integrated more efficiently into existing systems. “In the future, axes will do far more than simply create motion,” says Dr. Marc Wucherer. “They will connect with one another, use data intelligently, and actively contribute to optimising the overall system.” In the long term, the axis will evolve from a motion unit into an intelligent, connected system component. Data, software and AI provide the foundation for continuously optimising machines throughout their lifecycle, using resources more efficiently, and further improving collaboration among all system components. The Best Axis does not stand still. It learns, assists, and evolves.
The Best Axis serves as a guiding principle for all of Lenze. Ultimately, it is about achieving the best possible motion result for each specific application: simple, efficient, and future-ready.
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