Motor selection for actuation systems

When designing selecting, or applying electric motors in actuation systems, careful analysis of the operating requirements is necessary before determining the type, rating, speed, and the size of the motor. The operating requirements include: continuous load if any, peak load, duty cycle, stall load, load inertia, and acceleration. In addition to these requirements the characteristics of the power source, and the environmental conditions must be known. This paper discusses these requirements and provides a systematic approach to selecting the most optimum motor design from an existing library of motor designs. Approaches for making an entirely new design are also indicated. The relationship between acceleration requirements, and the motor characteristics such as speed, inertia and rating are clearly defined.