When mechanical projects meet the code world: changes brought about by microservice architecture

Picture this scenario. You spent several weeks designing a precision robotic arm. The servo motors in each joint are adjusted to perfection, and the response speed of the servo is as fast as a conditioned reflex. The hardware part is all ready, but when it comes to software integration, a problem arises. Every time you want to update a control, you have to redeploy the entire system. If there is a slight problem with the driver module of a certain sensor, the entire production line may stop. It feels like you have to take the entire machine apart in order to fix a screw.

Headaches like this are not uncommon in many automation projects.

What's the problem?

Traditionally, many industrial software are like a single piece of welded steel plate. All functions—data acquisition, motion control, user interface, logic operations—are tightly coupled. This "monolithic architecture" may be simple and straightforward at the beginning of the project, but as functionality increases, it becomes unwieldy and brittle.

Changing one place may accidentally affect other places. Want to try a new servo motor control? Testing and deployment became extremely cautious and lengthy. The hardware engineers in the team are waiting for software updates, while the software developers are worried about whether the changes will affect the stability of the hardware. The pace of collaboration slowed down unconsciously.

This is not just a technical issue, it directly affects whether the project can respond quickly to changes and run stably.

A different way of thinking: Make software fit together like Lego

This is why the concept of "microservice architecture" began to move from the Internet world into the field of machinery and automation. Its core idea is not complicated: split that huge monolithic software into a series of small, independent "services." Each service is only responsible for one specific small thing, such as specifically processing the angle command of a certain type of steering gear, or specifically analyzing the real-time torque data of the motor.

They run independently and communicate with each other through clear interfaces. This may sound like just a change in software structure, but it actually brings about a series of knock-on effects.

Think about it, when you separate the module that controls the servo motor, the hardware team can get involved in testing earlier and even develop it in parallel. Software teams can isolate a service without disturbing the entire system. When deploying, you can update only the building blocks that need to be changed instead of having to move the entire castle every time.

DevOps: When the wall between development and operations comes down

Microservice architecture naturally fits in with another modern work concept: DevOps. A simple understanding of this term means that software development (Development) and system operation and maintenance (Operations) are no longer opposite or disconnected ends, but a closely coordinated whole.

What does this mean in the context of a mechanical project? This means that the process from writing control logic to actual deployment in the factory is greatly shortened. Because each microservice is small and independent, it can be built, tested, and released more frequently and more securely. You can build an automated test pipeline for your motor control service, automatically verifying its performance with every code commit. Operation and maintenance personnel can also monitor the status of each service more clearly and quickly locate which link (such as a specific communication service) is experiencing delays, instead of looking for needles in a huge ocean of logs.

This ability of "rapid trial and error, continuous delivery" is of great value to mechanical projects that require constant debugging and parameters. It makes iteration less of a burden and more of a smooth daily process.

kpowerPractice: Let technology serve people

existkpower, we witnessed how this combination solved real problems. We do not simply sell an architecture, but accompany our clients on a transformation journey. For example, there was a complex multi-axis synchronized motion project, and the initial integration was difficult.

When we helped them refactor the system into a series of microservices—one service dedicated to path planning, one service responsible for real-time closed-loop correction, and another handling safety boundary monitoring—the rhythm of the entire project changed. Hardware debugging and software updates can be carried out simultaneously, and deployment risks are significantly reduced. Teams reported that they felt like they were finally "running" rather than trudging through mud.

The key behind this has never been how cool the technology itself is, but whether it truly lifts the constraints and unleashes the creativity of people and teams. Technology should silently support rather than dominate.

How to take your first steps?

If this sounds reasonable to you, you might be wondering: Could it be complicated? Where to start? Our experience is, think small. You don’t have to overturn everything overnight.

You can try to start by identifying a functional module with clear boundaries and relatively independent functions in the system. For example, splitting out all data interactions with a specific type of sensor into a separate service. Implement it first and define the interface for communicating with the outside world. Experience what it's like to develop, deploy, and scale independently.

Then, gradually and iteratively expand this practice. The focus is on establishing this "pipeline" culture of automated builds, tests, and deployments. Tools are important, but the ideas behind pursuing agility, collaboration and high-quality delivery are more core.

Return to the essence

In the final analysis, whether it is microservices or DevOps, their goals are very simple: to make the creation process smoother and to make good ideas become reality faster and more reliably. This ability is particularly valuable in machinery and automation, a field that combines physical precision and digital intelligence.

It's about how quickly you can verify it when you have a new idea about servo motor response speed; when an occasional problem occurs on the production line, how quickly you can locate and fix it. This directly determines the resilience of the project, the efficiency of the team, and the final results.

Technology will eventually evolve, but the original intention of solving problems remains the same. Finding ways to break down barriers and inspire collaboration may be the most lasting "source of motivation" when dealing with complex projects.

Established in 2005,kpowerhas been dedicated to a professional compact motion unit manufacturer, headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. Leveraging innovations in modular drive technology, Kpower integrates high-performance motors, precision reducers, and multi-protocol control systems to provide efficient and customized smart drive system solutions. Kpower has delivered professional drive system solutions to over 500 enterprise clients globally with products covering various fields such as Smart Home Systems, Automatic Electronics, Robotics, Precision Agriculture, Drones, and Industrial Automation.