DRIVES, GEARS & MOTORS
MICROMOTORS
EMS LTD
Three ways they are helping save the environment
You’d never leave your refrigerator door
open at home. Not only would this mistake
spoil your dinner plans, but it would also be
a massive waste of energy. So why do we
often find doorless fridges in supermarkets?
Refrigeration in these stores hasn’t always
been particularly energy efficient, but
micromotors are helping to make an
important switch. Here Dave Walsha,
commercial development officer at precision
drive system supplier EMS Ltd, explains
how micromotors are helping three other
industries become more environmentally
friendly.
A study carried out with the support of the
Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs found that “retail food outlets
are responsible for around three per cent
of total electrical energy consumption”,
adding that “refrigeration systems account
for between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of
energy used.”
To help fix this, brushless dc motors
are replacing the inefficient AC drives
traditionally found in supermarket fridges
to reduce their energy consumption. The
fast moving consumer goods sector isn’t
alone. There are many applications across
industry that can benefit from energy-saving
technologies, where small motors can make
a significant impact.
SAVING FUEL
The main way to improve an automotive
vehicle’s impact on the environment is
to reduce its fuel consumption. This can
be achieved in two main ways, either by
improving the efficiency of the engine or
by lightweighting the vehicle to reduce the
amount of energy that is needed to power it.
Micromotors are key for the growing number
of actuated components in car interiors
including windows, powered displays and
reclining seats. In place of traditional iron
core dc motors, many modern vehicles
feature ironless rotor motors that help to
automate these components.
Automakers are not only switching to
ironless rotor micromotors because they
are lighter, but they are also more energyefficient
and power-dense. Since the
motor’s source of energy comes from the
vehicle’s engine, the less power it consume
the less environmental impact the car will
have.
EVERY GRAM COUNTS
Fuel is a major cost variable that can be
the difference between the success and
failure of an airline, making the aviation
industry incredibly fuel-conscious.
Due to this cost sensitivity, reducing
aeroplane fuel consumption is not only
an environmental factor, but is central to
business operations.
Cabin equipment inside planes is more
electrically actuated than ever before.
Customers have adjusted to a level of
luxury, especially those travelling in first
class, with powered seats, screens and
window shutters all commonplace features
onboard an international flight. Powering
these devices requires motors and having
the most power-dense motors available for
the task is the most effective choice.
In fact, the window shutter in the business
class section of the Airbus A 319 is
powered by a brushless motor that weighs
just 192 grams — the 3242 BX4 model from
FAULHABER, which is available to purchase
from EMS. The reduction in weight may be
small compared to the overall size of the
aircraft, but the number of flights a plane
makes per year means that these savings
quickly mount.
CURATING CROPS
Fighting weeds is a challenge, especially
since many of them are becoming immune
to pesticides and stronger formulations
need to be deployed. However, agricultural
robots could alleviate our reliance on
environmentally damaging pest control
chemicals.
Using a vision system, agricultural robots
can be trained to seek out weeds in
fields and use their actuated robotic
appendages to remove them without the
need for any pesticides. To achieve this,
the robots need to have quality precision
actuation with high levels of power density,
meaning that a reliable choice of servo
motors is crucial for the success of the
application.
Overall, micromotors are a strong
contender to reduce the environmental
impact of many electrical applications.
From refrigeration to cars, planes and
agricultural robots, micromotors can help
reduce operational costs while also making
applications greener.
For more information on how micromotors
can benefit your application contact EMS
today.
For further information, please visit www.ems-limited.co.uk
Issue 46 PECM 49