How to choose a motor?

To build our positioning hexapods, we have several motor options at our disposal.

Our customers regularly ask us why we choose one particular engine technology over another. Several parameters are taken into account when choosing the most suitable motor for an application: speed, torque, heat dissipation, size, cost…

Here we try to briefly summarize the main advantages and disadvantages of the main motor technologies that we use in our positioning hexapods.

Technology
type
Stepper motor
DC brush motor
(also called DC motor)
DC brushless motor
(also called Brushless motor)
Advantages
  • Cost effective motor
  • Encoder feedback is not necessary
  • Holding torque useful to guarantee
    irreversibility
  • High power density
  • Higher speed at full torque
  • High efficiency
  • High power density
  • Higher speed at full torque
  • High efficiency
  • Compared to DC brush motor, lifetime is limited only by bearing lifetime
Drawbacks
  • Limited maximum speed
  • Resonance frequency
  • Low efficiency
  • Motor becomes very hot
  • Requires encoder to control positioning
  • Brush wear out limits lifetime
  • Slighty more expensive
  • Requires encoder to control positioning
  • Require phasing
  • Control is « more complex ». Not applicable in our case thanks to our advanced controller.
  • More expensive
    

Our team is at your disposal for any request for information!

Contact us