Login | Register


Motors Blog

The Motors Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about gears all types of motors including AC motors; DC motors; servo, stepper and linear motors; and motor maintenance and efficiency. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Mechanical Power Transmission newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.

Previous in Blog: Tips for Applying AC Induction Motors   Next in Blog: Linear Motor with Nanometer Precision
Close

Comments Format:






Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







2 comments

Do We Want Integrated Motors?

Posted March 20, 2008 8:03 AM

Integrated motors — where the motor, encoder, and controller are all combined in a single unit — appear to offer an attractive package that is easy to install and maintain. The market for such devices, at least in the lower power ranges, is definitely growing. But in the long term, are they stable motors, unaffected by temperature? And if one part of the combination fails, will maintenance engineers have to scrap the whole motor?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Motors, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Motors today.


Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.
Guru

Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1963
Good Answers: 7
#1

Re: Do We Want Integrated Motors?

03/20/2008 5:37 PM

Maybe it is true that the reporter sees a growing market for these devices in the small power range of motors but there is a serious short coming to them as well.

As we design, build and test as well as service motorised stages for the laboratories microscopes and metallurgical equipment, I can easily come up with drive combination systems build from 10 or 15 different motors, 5 or 10 different encoders and at least the same amount of controllers. This is not done for just any old reason, it is done because the application requires the flexibility. What does this mean for integrated motors? I don't think they will take an important role in the drives market any day soon, too rigid, plain and simple.

Power-User
Hobbies - Musician - New Member Engineering Fields - Manufacturing Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Endless Mountains of NE Pa, USA
Posts: 270
Good Answers: 18
#2

Re: Do We Want Integrated Motors?

03/22/2008 2:59 AM

I must agree with case 491 regarding the inflexibility of fully integrated motors.

The idea is a good one but it would probably not be economically feasible for one company to try to cover the market place with all of the many combinations necessary.

Perhaps a niche market or two will be found for certain combinations that may catch on and possibly offer smaller companies a more economic or smaller-package means to solve a creative drive problem.

__________________
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge - others just gargle and spit while wincing, as if from a foul taste......Egre Flagrus
2 comments
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Previous in Blog: Tips for Applying AC Induction Motors   Next in Blog: Linear Motor with Nanometer Precision
You might be interested in: Semiconductor Foundry Services, Fieldbus Products, Piezoelectric Motors