Feature

Advanced precision motors empower the IoT and Industry 4.0

This is an exciting time for the electronic design industry as embedded electronic functionality spreads into every facet of modern society. The disruptive growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and next-generation smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) is placing demands on designers to develop motion-enabled solutions that are powerful, small, precise and efficient.

18/12/2018 15:52:47

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The pressure to make products that are both highly functional yet cost-effective means that an electronic engineer must draw the optimum performance out of every system they design. High performance BLDC motors can provide the levels of performance and economy that
today’s demanding applications require.

Industrial applications

When it comes to industrial applications, the motors in robotic handling and assembly systems must be extremely reliable, cost effective and space-efficient. Much of the technology that has enabled this new generation of motors had been
previously used in various scientific and mil/aero applications, but these core technologies have now come down in cost and are being incorporated in a wide range of industrial solutions.

One of the ways to streamline a package design is to incorporate
the motor itself into the body of the product. A frameless BLDC motor design, also known as a rotor/stator part set, allows for the motor to become fully integrated within a given assembly, which results in the greatest torque-to-volume possible. For applications
with restricted space constraints, developers have a choice of integration options and motor configurations. Depending on the application, either a regular cylindrical format or a flatter pancake-style motor can be used when the motion axis is space-restricted.

Read the full article in the January issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.