Selecting a motor for a specific application can be a challenging task. Many factors must be considered, including the application’s required voltage, maximum current and diameter, speed, efficiency, ...

In a recent article, I wrote about step-motor system performance emphasizing key concepts that all engineers need to understand about this widely-used electro-magnetic-mechanical digital actuator. As ...

The case of a pulsating-load testing machine shows how to ballpark qualities that are important for deploying electric motors. Crankshafts in running internal-combustion engines pulsate as well as ...

Electric motors, both ac and dc types, come in many shapes and sizes. Some are standardized versions for general-purpose applications. Others are intended for specific tasks. In any case, motors ...

When it’s time to specify a high-performance motor that offers both precise positioning and cost efficiency, stepper motors offer many advantages over DC motors thanks to their brushless technology.

Here is a simple method for estimating the actual load on an electric motor without special equipment. But first, a word of caution: Some applications (e.g., a large forced draft fan) require more ...

In troubleshooting situations involving a motor, more than half the battle is simply isolating the problem. Whenever there’s a working motor, there’s a load and there’s some sort of motor controller, ...

Stepper motors are often used for positioning since they are cost-effective, easy to drive, and can be used in open-loop systems—meaning that they don’t require position feedback like servo motors.