Articles by David Webster

Design & Testing

Innovative Magnetic Designs in New BLDC Motors from maxon

December 14, 2021 David Webster 0

Two new brushless DC motors from maxon of Switzerland feature innovative magnetic aspects that enable them to provide important capabilities for design engineers. A frameless brushless-DC motor with new winding technology and a matching encoder really comes into its own in dynamic applications. A new series of flat motors, shown above, also feature special winding technology along with segmented magnets, designed particularly for design engineers grappling with tight spaces. […]

Materials/Manufacturing

MP Materials to Build U.S. Magnet Factory, Enters Long-Term Supply Agreement with General Motors

December 9, 2021 David Webster 0

MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) announced today that it will build its initial rare earth (RE) metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The company also announced that it has entered a binding, long-term agreement with General Motors (NYSE: GM) to supply U.S.-sourced and manufactured rare earth materials, alloy and finished magnets for the electric motors in more than a dozen models using GM’s Ultium Platform, with a gradual production ramp that begins in 2023. […]

Materials/Manufacturing

Tech Tips: Bakker Magnetics – Improving Energy Density of Permanent Magnets for e-Mobility Manufacturing

November 16, 2021 David Webster 0

Permanent magnets (PM) are the heart of the drive systems used in the e-Mobility industry. The stronger the magnet is, the higher the higher the motor’s output and the smaller and lighter the motor can be built. But a powerful magnet must also be able to resist demagnetization by heat or a magnetic opposite field. The Dutch company Bakker Magnetics uses two new techniques with which permanent magnets can be produced even stronger and more robust: Grain Boundary Diffusion (GBD) and Grain Refining Technology (GRT). Major advantage: less Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) are used. […]

Design & Testing

Magnetic Encoders Support the Stabilisation Control of a Self-Balancing Two-Wheeled Robotic Vehicle

November 9, 2021 David Webster 0

In the design of a self-balancing two-wheeled robotic vehicle, accurate high-speed measurement of angular rotation is a key requirement. Furthermore, the minimisation of component weight and size is an equally vital consideration. Engineering students at Tokyo Denki University found the answer in the RM08 rotary magnetic encoder, from Renishaw’s associate company, RLS. […]

News

Flapper and Skyportz Choose Electra’s Low-Carbon Electric Aircraft For Flight Services in Latin America and Australia

November 8, 2021 David Webster 0

Electra.aero, Inc. (“Electra,”) a next-gen clean aviation technology company, has secured purchase commitments for 180 of the company’s hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, totalling more than $500 million in value. The deals are part of cooperative agreements with air service providers and infrastructure developers in multiple countries, and reflect global demand for low-emissions transportation as countries strive to meet carbon reduction targets. […]