Effect of Cutting Methods on Magnetic Properties of Non-Oriented Silicon Steel Lamination

During the manufacturing process of electric motors, non-oriented electrical steel is customarily formed into the desired core configuration. This procedure inherently modifies the magnetic properties proximate to the cut edges of the steel, potentially influencing the iron loss performance of the motor. This study specifically investigates the effects of shearing, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), and laser-cut on the iron losses exhibited by laminations of non-oriented electrical steel. The double-frame measurement was conducted on the iron loss characteristics to eliminate the difference in the magnetic field of samples with different widths. A series of iron losses of silicon steel at different cutting widths and frequencies were tested. The results reveal that cutting stress mainly affects the hysteresis loss and excess loss, while its impact on the eddy current loss can be negligible. Comparing the iron loss of samples with different widths and frequencies is hopeful in providing guidance for motor designers on whether to consider the cutting effect in the process of designing motors.