Introduction To The Types Of Electric Motors

Electric motors are now more diverse and adaptable than ever. When planning a motion control system, the motor selection is extremely important. The motor must fit the purpose and overall performance goals of the system. Fortunately, there is a motor design for any conceivable purpose.

Some of the most commonly electric motors in use today include:

AC brushless motor

Brushless AC motors are one of the most popular motors in motion control. They use the induction of a rotating magnetic field created in the stator to rotate the stator and rotor at synchronous rates. They rely on permanent electromagnets to function.

DC brush motor

In a DC brush motor, the direction of the brushes on the stator determines the current flow. In some models, the orientation of the brushes relative to the rotor bar segment is decisive. The commutator is especially important in any brushed DC motor design.

DC brushless motor

Brushless DC motors were originally developed to achieve higher performance in a smaller space than brushed DC motors, and they are smaller than comparable AC models. Embedded PCs are used to facilitate operation without slip rings or commutators.

direct drive

Direct drive is an efficient, low-wear technical implementation that can replace traditional servo motors and their associated transmissions. In addition to being easier to maintain over longer periods of time, these motors accelerate faster.

Linear Motor

These motors have an unfolded stator and motor, producing a linear force along the length of the device. Compared to cylindrical models, they have flat moving parts with two ends. They are generally faster and more accurate than rotary motors.

servo motor

A servo motor is any motor that is coupled with a feedback sensor to facilitate positioning; therefore, servo motors are the backbone of robotics. Use rotary and linear actuators. Low-cost brushed DC motors are common, but are being replaced by brushless AC motors in high-performance applications.

stepper motor

Stepper motors use an internal rotor that is electronically steered by external magnets. The rotor can be made of permanent magnets or soft metals. When the windings are energized, the rotor teeth are aligned with the magnetic field. This allows them to move from one point to another in fixed increments.