20th July 2022
While prosthetic legs enhance mobility for amputees, standard prostheses are passive, meaning that they are unable to provide the required feedback to enhance motor skills including balance. Now, microprocessors combined with miniature motion control technology are enabling dynamic prosthetic control, helping to emulate the human reflex loop and improve the wearer’s gait cycle.
8th July 2022
Portescap, a leading expert in miniature motors and precision motion control solutions, recently unveiled the 32ECF brushless slotted flat motor, the latest addition to their motor portfolio. This new motor has a diameter of 32mm and an overall body length of 17.6mm. With an 8-pole design and high-power density in a flat architecture, the 32mm motor utilizes an outer rotor configuration with an air gap between the coil and magnetic structure that is managed radially.
17th May 2022
Understanding the impact of friction and wear on a mini motor, as well as the factors that cause them, is a key specification requirement. Technically known as the study of tribology, the effects are always specific to the individual application, and combatting them is critical for durability and long lifetime running. Specifying a mini motor to an application’s tribological requirements will optimise performance long-term and minimise replacement and maintenance costs for the end user.
8th April 2022
From medical monitoring equipment to robots, miniature motors are integral to providing motion in space-critical, high performance applications. The design and manufacture of these motors takes cutting edge engineering expertise, while a keen understanding of customer requirements is essential when deciding which performance features must be developed. Portescap’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ research ensures that it’s standard product platform is highly tuned to solve current customer needs – and that’s before the bespoke customisation begins.
23rd March 2022
Mini motor applications utilise DC motor technology because of compactness, low weight, and reliability. Stopping, slowing or holding the position and load of these motors is crucial for many applications from controlling robotic joints through to automated window shades. This control is achieved by integrating an electromagnetic brake, accurately specified according to the application requirements and parameters of the DC mini motor.
10th March 2022
The design and development of miniature motor motion solutions is integral to applications from medical equipment to robotics through to industrial power tools, in settings that demand performance and reliability. Concept design, development and testing not only has to be rigorous and relevant to specific application conditions, but also has to be fast enough to meet the needs of demanding markets. As a result, Portescap, which develops miniature motors for global OEMs, has enhanced its R&D capabilities by creating a new Engineering Lab.
4th January 2022
Portescap has been recognized as a GM Overdrive Award winner in General Motors’ 29th annual Supplier of the Year awards. Portescap is one of a select group of companies to be chosen as a 2020 Overdrive Award winner.
8th December 2021
For applications that require speed and efficiency of movement, wheeled robots can be advantageous compared to legged robots. Their simpler design can also mean lower cost and reduced maintenance.
4th November 2021
The numbers of products incorporating electric motors is increasing exponentially. Some of these products are designed to be disposable, with cost taking precedent over longevity. In others, where the expectation is that the product will operate over hundreds or even thousands of hours, long term reliability is key.
5th October 2021
Central to the success of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems are the miniature motors necessary to actuate the control valves. In addition to generating the required torque at low speed to regulate gas flow, the motors must ensure long and reliable life, combined with efficiency and cost effectiveness.