From electric motors and linear actuators to robots and gearboxes, the range of equipment and machinery used to create automation in industrial applications is diverse. Each has its own set of sealing requirements and understanding these critical components requires many years of experience. In this article David Kaley, Trelleborg’s global segment manager for industrial automation, shares his insights on sealing needs for electric motors. Standard, elastomer-based radial shaft seals as well as high-performing PTFE-based seals are discussed.

WEG supplied medium voltage synchronous motors to CEDAE at the Lameirão Pumping Station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These motors will play a crucial role by pumping water to a significant part of the city, ensuring reliability and continuity for the state’s population.

Humanoid robots, designed to operate in close interaction with humans, rely heavily on smooth and controlled joint and limb motion. This makes the selection of the motors that power the axes of motion critical. Alongside high torque density and responsiveness, efficiency to enable long battery life is key, and reliability is also important. Achieving freedom of movement requires integrating numerous axes of motion, which is best accomplished by working closely with an expert in this field.