September 11, 2026
Summit Electronics introduces Atlas, a new motion-control platform for OEMs and engineering teams developing compact and reliable stepper-motor applications.
The platform combines Atlas Control Step 1 and Step 3 controller/driver boards with the Atlas Engine range of stepper motors. The controllers are designed around ADI Trinamic motion-control technology and STM32 microcontrollers, while the motor range currently includes NEMA 17 and NEMA 23 options.
The result is a modular motion platform that allows engineers to match the controller and motor to the requirements of the application, rather than designing around one fixed actuator configuration.
Motion control often becomes a separate integration project within the larger system: selecting the motor, choosing the driver, managing current, controlling noise, defining the interface architecture and making sure the complete solution remains available during the product lifecycle.
Atlas is designed to make that process more straightforward.
The controller boards combine ADI Trinamic motion-control technology with an STM32 Cortex microcontroller and are designed for two-phase bipolar stepper motors. Shared features include integrated current, temperature and undervoltage protection, smart current management, flexible interfaces and support for daisy chaining.
The platform includes Trinamic functions such as:
A full SDK is also available through GitHub for both the one-axis and three-axis versions.
The Atlas Control Step 1 is designed for applications that require precise control of a single stepper motor.
It supports a supply voltage of 9 to 24 V, peak motor current below 2.5 A, and interfaces including STEP/DIR, CAN, analog input and digital I/O. A Hall sensor is integrated on the board.
This makes Step 1 suitable for compact motion functions such as linear axes, dosing units, camera sliders and simple pick-and-place systems.
For more complex motion architectures, the Atlas Control Step 3 controls three stepper motors independently or in coordinated motion.
It operates from 24 to 48 V and supports peak motor current below 3.5 A per axis. Available interfaces include STEP/DIR, CAN, RS-485, USB, analog input and digital I/O. Standard operation is open-loop, with support for encoder input where feedback is required.
The three-axis architecture makes the board relevant for applications such as compact CNC systems, XYZ gantries, robotics and laboratory automation.
The controller platform is engine-independent, so Atlas Control can be used with different stepper motors rather than locking the designer into one motor type. Summit currently lists NEMA 17 and NEMA 23 motors, with open- and closed-loop options, while additional sizes are planned.
The accompanying Atlas brochure also positions the system around space-saving design, flexible connectivity and daisy-chain expansion, with controller input ranges spanning 9–24 V and 24–48 V depending on the version.
For OEMs, this gives more freedom to balance torque, size, current, positioning requirements and cost at system level.
With Atlas, Summit Electronics adds a dedicated motion-control product group to its portfolio.
The platform is aimed at applications including industrial automation, laboratory equipment, robotics, dispensing and packaging equipment, smart devices and compact machinery. Summit’s own application overview highlights use cases ranging from 3D printers and CNC systems to pick-and-place equipment, robots, medical devices and lab equipment.
The broader idea is simple: combine controller, motor and application support into one motion platform, while keeping the system flexible enough to adapt to different mechanical and electrical requirements.
“Atlas marks an important next step for Summit Electronics,” says Chris Derksen, General Manager of Summit Electronics. “We are expanding our portfolio with a motion platform that combines performance, flexibility and availability. It enables customers to move from a motion requirement to a practical, production-ready solution more efficiently.”
For us at TOP-electronics, the interesting part of Atlas is not simply that it adds another stepper controller to the market.
The value lies in the combination of motor, controller, Trinamic functionality, open SDK support and multiple interface options within one platform.
That makes it easier to evaluate the complete motion chain around the actual design requirements: torque, speed, positioning, current, supply voltage, feedback method, noise and system integration.
Summit itself summarizes the approach as providing Control, Engines and support for the motion project, starting from torque, speed, size and positioning needs.
The Atlas series will be officially introduced on 22 September 2026 at both WoTS in Jaarbeurs Utrecht and embedded world North America.
You can discover Atlas at:
WoTS 2026
TOP-electronics booth 9B-054
embedded world North America 2026
Booth B-6807
For product information, application support or a discussion about your motion-control requirements, contact the TOP-electronics team.
Visit TOP-electronics at WoTS 2026
Visit TOP-electronics at embedded world North America 2026
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