Choosing the right motor for your machinery is like choosing the right heart. It is the motor which sits in the centre of your machine And allows it to work to its fullest capacity and produce the best quality of work for your business.
Electric motors are the most common type of motor you will use in your applications, and they work by converting electric energy into movement. The way this happens is by a magnetic field and either a direct current or winding alternative interacting. Motors are used in a range of different industries all over the world and can be used in vehicles, tools, medical equipment and even robotics. The type of motor you choose for your business will depend on the industry you are working in.
DC brush motors
This is one of the most common types of motor and is used in toys, cars and appliances for the home too. DC brush motors use small brushes which connect to a commutator, this in turn causes movement which you will see in the machine or appliance you use. They are cheap to build and simple to control, which makes them a great all round choice for many industries.
Brushless DC motors
Similar to DC brush motors, the main difference with this type of motor is the absence of brushes, and the use of permanent magnets within the rotor. This type of motor is very popular for aircrafts and road vehicles, due to the fact they make less noise, are very efficient and don’t require much maintenance. The primary disadvantage of using this type of motor is that they can be difficult to control. Because of this they must be controlled by an external source which can severely hike up the cost.
Vibrating motors
As you may guess from the name, this type of motor is used with appliances that are to vibrate. For example it could be within your mobile phone or a games console controller. They are simple motors and fairly inexpensive to use, however have fewer applications than others within this list.
Stepper motors
If you need to move something slow and precise, a stepper motor is the ideal candidate. For example this type of motor is often used for laser tools, printers and process control systems which require careful movement within a high torque. They are cost effective and economical to produce, which makes them a very popular choice for many service industries.
Servo motors
Servo motors such as MOONS’ servo motors are built for high precision and accuracy, as well as high speed. They are a very popular type of motor in the hobby industry and are often used for things such as remote control cars or rudders. They are a little more on the pricey side due to the use of rare metals, however they are efficient and reliable.
Factors when choosing a motor
There are a few different factors you will need to consider when looking for the right motor for you, and we are going to take a run through these to help you decide which is the best choice for your application.
Voltage
Voltage is what is used to keep the current flowing in the correct direction. Most of the time you will see that a higher voltage comes hand in hand with a higher torque level. It is crucial you choose the right voltage for your appliance or machine because too much can short the windings, and too little will cause the motor not to work.
Torque
In simple terms, torque measure the twisting motion of an object, which is why it is used for motors. Torque is important for your motor because it will determine how far you can push your motor without breaking it. Make sure when you do your research that you get the correct torque level for your application, because if you don’t it could jeopardise your work. For example, if you were to create a robot which wheels itself around, you need a torque high enough to withstand the weight of the robot. This will also help to achieve the acceleration you need for the robot to move.
Speed
RPM refers to the speed of your motor, and is an important factor in the efficiency of the motor. If you want to make a machine for speed, you need to have a motor which runs on a higher RPM.
When choosing a motor it will be useful to really dig in deep with your research and also talk to people who know about motors and what they can do. It can seem very complicated at first, but it is mostly a case of physics and logic.
