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.
22nd June 2021
For the surgical hand tool designer looking to deliver all of the performance objectives in the most sleek and lightweight package possible, the choice of electric motor is a key consideration.
3rd June 2021
Modern trends towards high volume surgery centres enable the costs of the most advanced surgical hand tool technologies to be amortised across high numbers of patients. But not every hospital has such luxury of choice, and for the companies targeting this market, the cost of components such as electric motors becomes a key design consideration.
20th May 2021
The electrification of the dampers that regulate airflow in HVAC systems is an increasing trend, with stepper motors becoming a popular choice for actuation of the damper. But there are major miniature motor design elements that should be considered.
13th May 2021
Stepper motors are a popular choice for many motorized systems, particularly because they are easy to drive. However, knowing more about the different stepper motor technologies and how they are driven can be a significant benefit. With an understanding of bipolar and unipolar driving, it is easier for designers to implement a truly optimized solution.