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.
21st September 2021
During the selection of a miniature DC motor, the design engineer will of course consider the dimensions needed to fit the desired space as well as the working point (the torque and speed at which the motor is required to operate). This information will be readily available in most motor product catalogues. Alongside this information there will also often be a choice of coils.
8th September 2021
When specifying brushless DC motors, the designer will of course consider key parameters such as operating speed and torque, along with voltage and current. Just as important, but often overlooked, is the stall torque of the motor
31st August 2021
Reliability is crucial for electrically powered surgical tools and moisture ingress is a surefire route to premature failure. To maintain operational performance, design engineers must consider how to minimise moisture ingress and protect against its damaging effects. A moisture-resistant design will also provide longer-life surgical tools with a reduced total cost.
18th August 2021
Engineers are increasingly turning to stepper motors for a simple and cost-effective positioning solution. However, due to the design of these motors and the way they are driven, there is an inherent risk of resonance under certain operating conditions. This can manifest as vibrations, which impacts on the synchronisation between the command and the actual rotor position – ultimately affecting accuracy.
5th August 2021
It won’t surprise engineers with even a fundamental understanding of motor design to learn that a brushed DC motor can be operated as a generator to produce a DC power supply. However, it is possible that they will not yet have appreciated the usefulness of the principle considering the increasing numbers of intelligent, remote, powered devices.
9th July 2021
Converting electrical energy into mechanical power naturally generates heat. In the case of miniature electric motors, it is vital that temperatures are managed to avoid component failure. To optimise performance and efficiency, this means that the motor manufacturer has to design the right thermal management solution according to the application requirements.
6th July 2021
Brushless DC motors are increasingly popular options for a host of critical applications where size, performance and reliability are important considerations. But designers of motion systems can face challenges when selecting or developing PWM electronics to drive these motors.