Disc motors are permanent-magnet stepper motors that act in a similar fashion as hybrid motors. Unlike hybrid and traditional permanent magnet motors, disk motors have thin rotors. Stepper motor manufacturers have created disc motors for over two decades, but improvements to magnet-related technologies have expanded their applications. Advantages of Disc Motors Maximum accuracy: At high stepping rates, the distortion of the output torque sinusoid is lower. The integral-velocity damper also allows for out-of-phase feedback, which reduces errors, ringing and overshoot. Low inertia: The disc armature doesn’t contain iron and has a thin design, which provides a high torque-to-inertia ratio. Smooth…
Understanding Brushless DC Motor Efficiencies
Brushless motors are a hot commodity in the automotive industry, as well as for robotic and medical applications. By knowing the differences that BLDC motors and brush DC motors offer, you can make an educated decision about the best type for your application. Brush DC Motor Efficiencies Cost: Brushed DC motors are generally less expensive than their brushless counterparts. Simple control: The motors have a two-wire control and need little to no control in fixed-speed designs. Magnet placement: In brushless motors, the magnets are in the rotor. This means that connections, a commutator and brushes aren’t needed because of the…
AC & DC Gear Motor Efficiency Considerations
Even though it’s critically important, one of the most misunderstood aspects of gear motors is energy efficiency. While performance is an essential consideration when it comes to AC gear motors and DC gear motors, it’s just as important to look at the efficiency of a motor’s design. General Design Many aspects of a gear motor’s design affect its efficiency. Such aspects include the motor’s weight, size, heat losses and heat dissipation capabilities. The gearbox itself is can be a major contributor to power loss and drop in efficiency. Energy Use It’s common to find information about a DC or AC…
Stepper Motors vs. BLDC Motors: Differences & Uses
When you need a motor for an application, you may not know if a brushless DC motor or stepper motor is best. In principle, both types are permanent-magnet synchronous motors. The difference is in their specific characteristics and mode of operation. BLDC Motors Brushless DC motors are highly reliable and efficient, and have a high power-to-volume ratio. This high-power motor can deliver large amounts of torque over a range of speeds. BLDC motors are electronically commutated constantly changing the waveforms being delivered to a wound stator. Brushless motors with an outer rotor tend to operate at lower speeds and have…
DIY Home Improvement: Powering Up with BLDC Motors [Infographic]
Thanks to brushless DC motors, tackling home improvement projects is simpler than ever. On average, over half of the adults in the U.S. tackle a DIY project each year. Because of BLDC motors, power tools have longer run times on a single battery charge, are more compact, lighter in weight, more powerful, smarter and last longer. This infographic explores trends in home improvement projects across America, the power tools used and the evolution of brushless DC motors. When you partner with Sinotech for your brushless DC motor needs you’ll reap the benefits of working with a dedicated, knowledgeable company with…
Understanding Refrigeration Applications & BLDC Motor Control
Refrigeration applications largely depend on the capabilities of the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant, and the cooling fan that blows air through and evaporator. As energy policies and market needs change, designers look to BLDC motors for efficient, low-maintenance and quieter solutions. How Refrigerators Work Refrigerators with permanent split capacitor (PSC) single-phase induction motor compressors turn on when the temperature in the refrigerated compartment reaches a certain point. When the refrigerator reaches the set temperature, the compressor turns off. The compressor is generally noisy and draws a large starting current, which may cause a dip in voltage in the main…
Micro Stepper Motors for Control Systems
A stepper motor is a type of brushless DC motor that has an equal number of steps dividing a full rotation. Micro stepper motors take a standard step, say 7 degrees, and divide it up to provide smaller steps of, for example, 3.5 degrees. As the micro-steps get smaller, the motor’s operations get smoother, which reduces the resonance within the motor and parts connected to it. The micro stepper motor is suited for control systems for the following reasons: Drift-free motor stiffness while stopped. High levels of torque despite the small size. Stepper motors are simple to maintain because they…
Sinotech Custom Motors: Embedded Logic in Brushless DC Motors
Sinotech is happy to announce that embedded logic inside brushless DC motors is a reality. By embedding custom logic circuits inside the motor, the complexity of the system decreases along with its related costs. How Embedded Logic Works An embedded controller brushless DC motor used two donut-shaped circular boards. You could find the drivers on one or both of the boards along with three Hall Effect sensors sharing space on one of the boards if it doesn’t have a board of its own. The boards get stacked close together and use headers to connect them. Benefits for BLDC Motors Until…
Offshore Production Pitfalls: How Full-Service Custom Motor Manufacturers Reduce Your Risks [Infographic]
This infographic by Sinotech illuminates the benefits of working with a full-service custom motor manufacturer, a company that provides everything from motor consultancy to offshore production. Sinotech’s engineers and manufacturing experts manage the entire production cycle onsite in the Pacific Rim, from hand-selecting just the right factory to personally supervising tooling and production.
Investment Casting Manufacturers Talk Stainless Steel Casting
Steel investment casting is one of the best ways to make complex parts for even the most sensitive applications. Casting is a proven technique used by ancient civilizations that today’s investment casting manufacturers still utilize to produce high quality products at affordable costs. The Steel Investment Casting Process Casting begins with wax that’s injected into a metal mold shaped like the desired finished product. After the wax cools, it’s removed from the mold and dipped into a ceramic slurry to make a mold casing. When investment casting manufacturers bake ceramic mold casing, it gets hard and the wax melts out…