DC Motors

April 1, 2012

ThinGap (Ventura, CA) has expanded its line of laminated-copper DC brushless ironless motors to include 8 models ranging from 250 to 600 oz-in of peak torque, and maximum continuous speeds ranging from 2,710 to 16,305 rpm. To allow mechanical integration, the open-frame construction combines with the inner/outer rotating irons. Custom shafts, solid or hollow, can be fabricated, and bearings can be located inside or outside the rotor. ThinGap stators contain no magnet wire windings. Precision etched copper sheets are laminated into a free-standing, lightweight, composite coil approximately 3 mm thick with no iron backing.

The ThinGap design allows free air to flow on both sides of the coil. Since the ironless motors do not magnetically saturate, continuous torque is only limited by cooling. Active cooling can be used to extend the safe operating ambient condition (SOAC) range to even higher torque levels.