The trade show circuit has offered a wealth of e-mobility and motor technologies recently. From IMTS and Pack Expo to MINExpo and CES 2025, there are plenty of disruptors in the motor segment for power transmission components. One area—in particular—is the aerospace industry where vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) rotorcrafts continue to redefine aerial transport, variable frequency drives (VFDs) support aircraft performance, stepper motors provide passenger comfort and software enables engineers to optimize electric motor design.
It’s an exciting time in the electric motor industry. In the past two years more truly innovative new technology development has occurred than in the previous two decades. We can thank the e-mobility movement for that. It’s not just cars, trucks, bikes and buses, but just about everything else that moves on wheels as well as on water and in the sky.
Which motor type is right for your application? This whitepaper from Dunkermotoren presents an in-depth comparison of brushed and brushless motor technologies, exploring their construction, operation, efficiency, performance characteristics, and real-world applications. By analyzing key parameters such as power efficiency, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness, engineers and designers can make informed decisions when selecting the appropriate motor technology for their specific needs.
The ASI8100 stepper motor with built-in drive from Beckhoff adds another space-saving tool to the company’s broad range of compact drive technology products (up to 48 V DC). The ASI8100 series combines a stepper motor, stepper motor output stage, and fieldbus connection in a fully integrated design. These EtherCAT devices mount directly on the machine without a control cabinet or upstream I/O, allowing for highly compact, control cabinet-free machines.
Closed-loop control systems can handle a wide range of motions with a wide range of loads if the control system and the mechanics of the system are properly designed for the task. A couple of the more difficult combinations to design for are high inertial mismatches and backlash with hard gearing. The question is not just how to make the system stable but also how to get the desired performance.
AutomationDirect has added more ACCU-Torq motors from Nidec U.S. Motors. The ACCU-Torq motors are high-performance inverter duty motors and are an excellent cost-effective solution for applications that require 100 percent torque down to zero speed. They are available in 230/460 VAC and are now offered in sizes up to 20 hp at 1,800 rpm and from ¼ to 10 hp at 1,200 rpm.
ABB has completed the acquisition of Aurora Motors. The transaction was originally announced on November 4, 2024, and financial terms were not disclosed. Aurora Motors is a $4 million U.S. vertical pump motors provider, with engineering and operations in Shanghai, China, and a corporate office and distribution center in Hayward, California.
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.
Closed Loop control systems can handle a wide range of motions with a wide range of loads if the control system and mechanics are properly designed for the task. A couple of the more difficult combinations to design for are high inertial mismatches and backlash with hard gearing. The question is not just how to make the system stable, but rather how to also get the desired performance.
ABB is opening its NEMA Motors Division world headquarters in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the local community on Thursday, October 3, in celebration of Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), officially observed on Friday, October 4. This open house event is intended to educate and inspire students, parents, educators and community leaders about the future of manufacturing careers. ABB plans to engage with attendees through facility tours, demonstrating the industry’s critical role in driving innovation and highlighting diverse, sustainable career paths.
The latest innovation by Parvalux is their ability to provide prototype motors at a rapid pace. The company has designed and manufactured a series of modular components that are easily mixed and matched so that users get a paired system from one manufacturer rather than piecing together components such as motors, gearheads, brakes, and encoders from various manufacturers. The ability to create a near optimal motor drive for your application just became faster and easier. In a three-step selection process, designers can purchase a motor that is built to order using the company’s online configurator.
M.G.M. Electric IEC standard motors and brake motors are manufactured using state-of-the-art, high-quality processes and are rated for general-purpose and inverter duty. IEC motors provide the same power output as NEMA motors but have a smaller footprint and feature a lightweight aluminum construction.
Our next legacy entry is maxon, a global leading provider of electric drive systems. The company provides single-source DC and BLDC motors, gearheads, sensors, control electronics, mechatronic drive systems and more-from individual prototypes to large-scale production. The history of maxon begins with Interelectric AG in Frankfurt.
The Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) honored John S. Allen, managing director, Sheppard Engineering Limited, with the 2024 EASA Exceptional Achievement Service Award.
Ventilators provide critical airflow to patients whose natural breathing is insufficient to sustain life. They are also utilized as a preventative measure to counteract the imminent failure of other bodily functions or ineffective gas exchange in the lungs. The widespread use of mechanical ventilation has significantly enhanced the survival rates of patients undergoing surgeries, experiencing lung issues due to accidents, or suffering from acute and chronic pulmonary ailments. A critical aspect of the effective functioning of ventilators is the micro motion system, which powers the ventilation system. This article will focus on the use and benefits of brushless DC micro motors in ventilators.
The development of the new cast-iron totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) severe duty motor marks the second phase of ABB’s SP4 technology launch. This model is uniquely designed for applications in hazardous environments with certifications for Division 2 and Class I Groups A, B, C, D, as well as Class II Groups F, and G, making it suitable for areas with explosive gases and combustible dust. The model also features an IP55 rating, ensuring protection against dust and water spray, making it reliable for harsh and dirty conditions. ABB previously introduced two different models with SP4 technology: rolled steel open drip proof and totally enclosed fan cooled motors.
Forty-five percent of the world’s electricity is used to power electric motors in buildings and industrial applications. By 2030, this cost is projected to reach $900 billion annually. Lowering CO₂ emissions and increasing energy efficiency is critical for our planet, but also for ensuring stable and productive industry operations, lowering operating costs and total costs of ownership. To help motor operators better understand the financial and environmental benefits of upgrading current and end-of-life industrial electric motors, ABB has developed its NEMA motors Energy Savings Calculator.
Nidec’s U.S. Motors division recently promoted two long-time staffers to senior roles. Cory Kniepp is now director, strategic planning and marketing operations, and Patrick Hogg is senior marketing director, industrial OEMs and distribution. The U.S. Motors brand offers electric motors featuring advanced technology, from variable speed electronically commutated motors to NEMA Premium efficient motors.
Visit ABB at the 2024 EASA Convention from June 23-27, at Caesars Forum and Harrah's Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Media is invited to meet with ABB experts to learn about selecting innovative motor solutions essential for various applications and processes and discover new products, services, and digital solutions. ABB will unveil the ABB RXT series at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, June 24, at the ABB Booth 509, along with the new ABB NEMA Motors DP200 Crush+ and Baldor-Reliance FoodSafe SP5+.
A "compact automation" is a mechatronic system that performs a whole series of consecutive production steps autonomously. "Compact" refers to the small dimensions, in the millimeter and centimeter range, of the products to be processed. Designing and constructing such systems is one of the core activities of the Austrian machine manufacturer STIWA. Its modular system LTM-CI has been optimized for small parts assembly. Linear and rotating micromotors from Faulhaber perform key tasks in these systems.
Akribis Systems is pleased to announce a new addition to its varied motion control product line: RDM-A Series rod motors for space-constrained applications requiring high motor forces and smooth linear motion.
Innomotics has been awarded with the prestigious "iF Design Award". As part of the strategic reorganization of the Siemens Group, the business was carved out and launched as the independent brand "Innomotics" in 2023. Naming, brand strategy and design were developed from scratch.
Motor operators in all industries are staying ahead of the curve in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship with ABB Baldor-Reliance SP4 motors. ABB’s SP4 technology meets the NEMA Super Premium efficiency level in a standard AC induction motor design operating across the line, independently of a variable speed drive.
Portescap has announced that its facility in Mumbai, India has attained AS9100 certification. Internationally recognized as the defining standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS) in the aerospace industry, AS9100 outlines a set of rigorous requirements that aerospace suppliers must meet to ensure the quality and safety of their products and services.
AutomationDirect recently added the EQP Global SD severe duty motors from Toshiba. The Toshiba EQP SD series motors are designed to withstand the most severe conditions. Since most AC motor failures are a result of failed bearings, these inverter-duty motors feature oversized 300-series bearings for maximum motor longevity.
WEG recently announced, through its indirect subsidiaries abroad, the acquisition of the industrial electric motors and generators business of Regal Rexnord Corporation, a global manufacturer of electromechanical equipment. The acquisition value is $400.0 million, subject to common price adjustments for this type of transaction.
ABB is set to feature high-efficiency motor solutions during WEFTEC in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on October 2-4. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 2348 to learn from ABB experts about the company’s innovative products and services and the essential solutions they provide for water management and wastewater treatment. ABB’s Global Segment Manager Todd Huston and Global Product Marketing Manager Stefanie Casimir welcome visitors at the booth to discuss these products and their benefits to customers.
ABB will be featuring its high-efficiency NEMA motors solutions at Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia on September 25 – 28 in Houston. Attendees are invited to visit Booth #2835 to learn from experts how ABB’s innovative products and services provide essential solutions for energy saving, facility comfort, productivity and more. ABB’s Global Segment Manager Todd Huston and Account Manager Kirk Franz will be available at the booth to discuss the products and the product benefits.
ZF has developed an electric motor which does not require magnets. In contrast to the magnet-free concepts of so-called separately excited synchronous motors (SESM) already available today, ZF’s I2SM (In-Rotor Inductive-Excited Synchronous Motor) transmits the energy for the magnetic field via an inductive exciter inside the rotor shaft. This makes the motor uniquely compact with maximum power and torque density.
Electric drives often need to operate under high voltages up to 800 V to provide more power and higher speeds. However, the risk of partial discharges increases at these voltages. In combination with high operating temperatures, these can locally damage the insulation and lead to machine failure. However, a good impregnation ensures not only electric insulation but also copper bonding, to mechanically strengthen the electric motor, and air gap filling, to allow a better heat transfer.
In everyday life and in the technical fields we often discover that certain decisions are based on “scientific data” when, in fact, they are often founded on historic conclusions that have not been challenged or re-evaluated in a long time. One such common myth is that for a stable and well-tuned drive you should match the motor’s inertia to the load inertia, which is typically done using a gearbox. Two factors lead to that conclusion: a. there is an optimization formula using the time constant of the motor and the load torque that shows that the best acceleration will be achieved if the reflected load inertia matches the rotor inertia; and b. a PID controller, which was commonly used when electric servos entered the marketplace, tend to perform best and appear to be most stable when the inertia are close or matched.
Nidec Corporation has acquired full ownership of TAR, LLC d/b/a Houma Armature Works, a privately- owned US company (“Houma”). As a result of the transaction, Houma became a consolidated subsidiary of Nidec.
Visitors to EASA in June will get a chance to see some of the highest efficiency electric motors available on the market when they stop by the Nidec Motor Corporation Booth (#613). Nidec’s “Super Premium” and above variable frequency drive (VFD) motors and all-in-one, integrated motors and controls are leading the industry with efficiency ratings of IE 4 and IE 5 for remarkable energy savings compared to traditional single speed motors.
SEW-Eurodrive is expanding its comprehensive portfolio to include new motors for purely inverter operation. The synchronous motors of the DR2C.. series satisfy the highest standard-based efficiency class IE5 for adjustable-speed electric motors. This makes them yet another sustainable and energy-saving motor variant.
ABB recently announced it has completed its acquisition of the Siemens low voltage NEMA motor business. The transaction was originally announced August 11, 2022, and financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The business employs around 600 people and generated revenues of approximately $63 million in 2021.
Portescap announces the release of the 45ECF brushless DC flat slotted motor, the latest addition to join our flat motor portfolio. The 45ECF features a performance optimized design that utilizes an outer rotor configuration with an overall diameter of 43.2 mm and a body length of only 22.5 mm. The motor features hall sensors to easily control speed and torque and can be provided sensorless based on application requirements. Additionally, the motor can be used in combination with existing gearbox designs to provide high output torque at required operational speeds.
Unlike HVAC applications, servomotors are not normally operated at the same speed or torque for extended periods, thus the overall efficiency of a servomotor is not easily given a single numeric value. The efficiency varies greatly with the application, and thus different applications favor different types of servomotors.
Orbex Group, a U.S.-based supplier of slip rings and electric motors, has introduced two new custom products to its offering of precision motion solutions. These custom flat brushless DC (BLDC) motors provide smooth motion, high precision and excellent power density, as well as an integral gear reducer in a compact package.
The R-09-150 CCWM Series of Counterclockwise, Forward Shaft Extension Rotary Solenoids from Magnetic Sensor Systems (MSS), available in OEM quantities, features 18 different winding configurations allowing the user to match torque and duty cycle requirements to an application. These compact 38.1 mm (1.50 in.) diameter solenoids are just 22.098 (22.1) mm (0.87 in.) long and have two M4X0.7 threaded studs (8-32 studs optional) 7.366 (7.4) mm (0.29 in.) long on a 22.225 (22.2) mm (0.875 in.) bolt circle. The shaft has 40 degrees of counterclockwise rotation, extending (13.0) mm (0.51 in.). The shaft end is serrated for a better grip of the attached load.
The Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) announces its Spring 2023 training seminar schedule. Offered in various locations around the United States, EASA's industry-specific training pools more than 100 years of rotating equipment knowledge from EASA's technical support staff. Participants have an opportunity to interact face-to-face with the presenters, as well as each other.
This Oriental Motor article provides more information on these types of noises and what can be done to minimize the noise. It's important to remember to isolate the motor from any other noise-making source, such as metal plates or loose bolts. It's also very useful to have an extra motor in good working condition for noise comparison, so you have a reference point.
Heidenhain will host a worldwide digital event for automation, running November 28 - December 16 with opportunities to join online with appointments available for North Americans over four days (December 5-8).
The new production plant is officially in operation after its formal unveiling at Lafert’s 60th anniversary celebrations in San Donà di Piave, Italy, close to the historic headquarters.
Portescap is pleased to announce the release of the 20ECF brushless slotted flat motor, which is the latest motor to join the flat motor platform. The 20ECF is characterized by a flat architecture, as well as a compact package size that is a hallmark of Portescap’s existing brushless motor portfolio.
Engineers often face challenges when incorporating servo motors into a new machine design, such as choosing between a conventional housed motor or a frameless design. Kollmorgen engineers examine the components of a frameless motor and review three key design considerations that would indicate a frameless solution is the best fit for a machine.
Servo motors are used in numerous markets to power machines, instruments, robots, and other factory automation applications. This Kollmorgen blog addresses five major elements of a conventional brushless DC servo motor: the rotor, stator, bearings, feedback and housing.
Visit the ABB Booth #603 at the 2022 EASA Convention in St. Louis, June 26-28 to meet experts, view innovative solutions, and to learn why selecting the right motor is important.
Kollmorgen will exhibit their next-generation TBM2G series of frameless servomotors at the 2022 Automate Show, June 6 - 9, in Detroit, MI. Kollmorgen will also speak on the topic of Improving Robot Efficiency Through Permanent Magnet Motor Design and Selection at the breakout session on the afternoon of June 8.
The drive system manufacturer Heinzmann has introduced a new wheel hub motor with integrated transmission, which was developed in close collaboration with Framo Morat. The compact, high-performance drive provides ensures efficient operation in automated guided vehicles (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR).
Piezo Motion, a Brain Scientific company, and Micro Technology Group (MTG) recently announced a partnership. Piezo Motion is a developer and manufacturer of automation technology. MTG, headquartered in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is a business development company providing technical marketing and sales services for leading manufacturers.
Kollmorgen has announced the new TBM2G series of frameless servomotors, introducing features that simplify the design of collaborative, surgical, aerospace and defense and other robots while delivering optimal performance in a lighter, more compact package. These new motors will complement Kollmorgen’s existing TBM and KBM series of frameless motors.
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