MOTORS, DRIVES & CONTROLS


having up to 60% copper fill factor. Jørgen P. Selnes, CEO and co-


founder of Alva adds: “One of the key benefits of FiberPrinting is its intrinsic flexible process, allowing us to develop custom windings faster than competitors.” Alva Industries first demonstrated


the new slotless motor at the SPS tradeshow in Nuremberg, Germany, on the 12th of November. Live presentations were available to show how the motor can perform in land, sea, air, and space applications. The SlimTorq series is suited to a


variety of applications including high- precision gimbals, medical devices and surgical robotics, defence and satellite communications, marine propulsion, metrology, and semiconductors.


THE FIBERPRINTING PROCESS FiberPrinting is Alva’s process for manufacturing SlimTorque motors, next-generation electric motors and propulsion systems. The technology enables the rapid design and manufacturing of ironless and slotless windings with copper fill factor for any electric motor or generator. The process allows for the


continuous winding of stator mats


for ironless and slotless rotary and linear motors. Maximising copper fill allows for customisation of size and stator configuration, while a copper fill factor of 60% ensures minimal electrical resistance. After producing a FiberPrinted


stator mat, Alva’s moulding process converts it into a structural component with tight tolerances. Automation helps to reduce costs whilst increasing quality, as it reduces part-to-part deviations. Application requirements determine the choice of resin, which can vary from thermal performance to water compatibility. FiberPrinting allows for the


manufacturing of stator mats in various shapes and sizes due to its versatility and flexibility. It can change length, width, thickness, and pole size to fit specific requirements. Stator mats can be processed into rotary and linear precision motors. The poor power and torque


performance of traditional ironless and slotless motors have limited their use, due to the low copper fill factor compromising phase resistance and voltage constant. Using the FiberPrinting process


can create a higher copper fill factor, achieving up to 60% and


One of the key benefits of


FiberPrinting is its intrinsic flexible process


short end-windings. This is enough to boost the performance of slotless motors and challenge slotted motors’ performance levels. A further limitation of traditional


ironless and slotless motors is they can only produce skewed windings. A misaligned magnetic field between the rotor and the one generated by this can result in a lower motor constant. Therefore, FibrePrinting’s ability to produce non-skewed motor windings with an aligned magnetic field to the rotor improves the performance of both power and torque density.


CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOTOR There are different ways of assessing which motor is best for various products. Basing your decision on what the end use of the device is may be the best route. Different metrics measure how effective motors are. A high motor constant can be a


primary concern and performance indicator for select applications. This is because the motor constant reflects how much torque it can deliver in comparison to the heat generated from loss inside the motor. The motor winding’s copper loss causes the generation of heat, which is the only loss measured by motor constant metrics. Because of this, it is important to select a motor where all other losses are minimal. With a higher motor constant,


motors can deliver greater torque while maintaining a lower surface temperature and consuming less power, making them more efficient. Motor constant metrics are also a useful way of benchmarking motors, as this makes comparison easier and allows manufacturers to assess what motor fits their needs best.


SMOOTH AND SEAMLESS The advancement of slotless motors allows for smoother operations across a range of industries. While a slotless motor will not be the correct solution for all applications, it can significantly enhance the applications it is suited to. Designing more efficient slotless


The SlimTorq slotless motor


motors allows for smoother operations. Slotless motors with a brushless design can provide a more seamless operation without any risk of cogging occurring.


www.engineerlive.com 41


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48