In industrial applications, motors are used in various ways. For example, they enable robotics that complete various functions or provide the torque required for precision machining. Since there are so many ways motors can be deployed in these settings, there are also different types of motors depending on the application. This article will look at the different types of motors used for different industrial applications.
DC Series Motors
These motors use a DC power source and a magnetic induction to create the rotational forces required for different applications. The main advantage of DC series motors is that they have a very high starting torque, and their speed can be varied by changing the voltage passing through the field and armature windings.
DC series motors are used in heavy-duty applications because of their variable speed and high torque. Examples include steel rolling mills, lifts, hoist cranes, and electric locomotives.
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DC Shunt Motor
DC shunt motors also use DC power, but the power distribution to the armature and field systems is parallel rather than in series, as you find in DC series motors. These motors have an almost constant speed and a medium torque. Because of this, they are used in applications that require constant speeds but not too much power. This includes lathes, converters, woodworking machines, printing presses, and grinders.
Servo Motors
Servo motors are perhaps the most popular type of motor used in industries. These motors are used because they provide precise control over the angular position and variable inertia and torque. They consist of a motor coupled with a sensor, which provides positional feedback. The last part is the servo drive that uses data from the sensor to control the rotary position to within the required specifications.
Servos are designed for challenging environments, with companies like KEB America offering different servo motor models that can be used even in the most challenging industries, such as under extreme temperature conditions.
Three-Phase Synchronous Motors
Synchronous motors are meant to run at a constant speed regardless of the load applied to them. They have very high efficiency and are used in applications requiring high precision.
Their constant speed results from the interactions between the constant magnetic field and the rotating magnetic field. The rotor, located inside the motor, is the constant magnetic field, while the rotating magnetic field is supplied by the stator, which is inducted by a 3-phase AC (alternating current) supply.
Because of their constant speed, synchronous motors are used in applications where machines have to keep going at the same pace. These applications include uses in rolling mills, cement industries, and compressors.
Slip Ring Induction Motors
Slip ring induction motors work the same as other induction motors, with the key difference being that they have a larger overweight capacity and have a very high starting torque. Because of these characteristics, they are used in winding machines, line shafts, and compressors.
In industrial settings, you have to choose motors that are right for your applications. This gets easier when you know what you want the motor for and understand the different characteristics and capabilities of different types of industrial motors.
Summery
DC series motors are used in heavy-duty applications because of their variable speed and high torque. DC shunt motors also use DC power, but the distribution to the armature and field systems is parallel rather than in series, as you find in DC series motors. These motors have an almost constant speed and a medium torque. Because of this, they’re used in applications that require constant speeds but not too much power.
Synchronous motors are meant to run at a constant speed regardless of the load applied to them. Their constant speed results from the interactions between the constant magnetic field and the rotating magnetic field. Slip ring induction motors work the same as other induction motors, with the key difference being that they have a larger overweight capacity and a very high starting torque.
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