Executive Summary

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, product development timelines are shorter, and performance expectations are higher than ever. OEMs and system integrators are under pressure to deliver faster, smarter, and more reliable equipment without compromising precision or quality.
Custom motion assemblies—engineered, tested, and delivered as integrated subsystems—offer a powerful way to meet these demands. By consolidating design, sourcing, and validation into a single, optimized process, integrated motion assemblies streamline development, simplify supply chains, and significantly reduce time-to-market.
This white paper explores how integration transforms the traditional motion system design process and how companies like Novanta Precision Medicine help OEMs accelerate innovation while minimizing risk.

1. The Time-to-Market Challenge

Across industries—medical devices, life sciences, semiconductors, and industrial automation—innovation cycles are shrinking. Product development that once took 24 months now often needs to be completed in 12.
Key pressures driving this shift include increased competition, system complexity, and supply chain fragmentation. The result: valuable engineering time is consumed by component validation and system alignment, slowing innovation.

2. What Is a Custom Motion Assembly?

A custom motion assembly is a fully engineered, ready-to-install subsystem that integrates actuators, bearings, encoders, linear guides, sensors, cabling, and controllers into one cohesive unit. Instead of purchasing and assembling individual parts, OEMs receive a pre-engineered motion module tailored to their specific requirements.

3. The Integration Advantage

Partnering with an experienced motion integrator eliminates multi-vendor complexity and accelerates development. Integrated assemblies offer simplified engineering, accelerated prototyping, optimized performance, reduced supply chain burden, and long-term serviceability.

Table: Quantifying the Benefits

4. Case Example: Integrated Linear Subsystem for a Medical Device OEM

A leading medical device manufacturer partnered with Novanta Precision Medicine to develop a compact, high-precision linear motion subsystem for a new diagnostic instrument.
Challenges included tight tolerances, rapid time-to-market, and limited in-house motion expertise. Novanta Precision Medicine delivered a fully integrated motion stage combining precision mechanics, electronics, and calibration—all validated for compliance.
Results: engineering integration time cut by 40%, prototype-to-production achieved in 8 months (vs. 14 projected), and positional accuracy improved by 25%.

5. Choosing the Right Integration Partner

When evaluating partners, look for in-house engineering, cleanroom assembly, vendor-certified access to components, proven industry experience, and robust quality systems. Novanta Precision Medicine provides multidisciplinary expertise and proven integration processes to accelerate product development and reduce risk.

6. Conclusion

As motion systems become more complex and development timelines shrink, integration is no longer optional—it’s strategic. Custom motion assemblies empower OEMs to accelerate development, reduce costs, and improve reliability. With deep engineering expertise and proven integration processes, Novanta Precision Medicine helps customers get products to market faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.

About Novanta Precision Medicine

Novanta Precision Medicine provides high-performance motion control and mechatronic solutions for OEMs across medical, life sciences, semiconductor, and industrial markets. From standard components to fully custom motion assemblies, Novanta Precision Medicine delivers precision-engineered systems that reduce complexity, accelerate development, and optimize performance.

Learn more at www.motionsolutions.com