<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-17-033379.txt : 20171128
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-17-033379.hdr.sgml : 20171128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20171128164834
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-17-033379
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171127
FILED AS OF DATE:		20171128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20171128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BERSHAD STEPHEN W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000923910

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-35083
		FILM NUMBER:		171225954

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES INC
		STREET 2:		645 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVANTA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001076930
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3690]
		IRS NUMBER:				980110412
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A3
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			BEDFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01730
		BUSINESS PHONE:		781-266-5618

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			BEDFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01730

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GSI GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20050622

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GSI LUMONICS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990401

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GSI LUMONICS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990331
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-11-27</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001076930</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVANTA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOVT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000923910</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BERSHAD STEPHEN W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NOVANTA INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>125 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEDFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01730</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-11-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>52.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1711648</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>Power of Attorney on file</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joanna Tow, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-11-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
