BLDC motor in IP65 with magnetic encoder from Nanotec

BLDC motor in IP65 with magnetic encoder from Nanotec

Feldkirchen, July 27, 2011 – The new BLDC motors APB42 from Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG are specifically designed for moist and dusty industrial environments. Not only do they have an IP65 protection class-compatible housing and threaded fittings, but also integrate an incremental, magnetic encoder, too.

Due to their high-energetic permanent magnets, electronically commutated servomotors, such as the 3-phase BLDC motors from Nanotec, are particularly suitable for applications that require very smooth operation and a long service life. Rotational speeds of up to 14,000 rpm are possible with high efficiency and high acceleration. With the APB42, the first 42 mm size model of the servomotor series from Nanotec is available now as an IP65 version for harsh environments, which put special demands on the product components. Therefore the APB42 integrates a newly developed magnetic encoder, which enables reliable, high-resolution control without requiring much space.

The use of an optical encoder in harsh environments is considered critical, as the optical measurements by means of photodiodes, which read the marking codes, can be faulty due to moisture or dust. Magnetic encoders are not only less expensive and smaller, rather they also utilize Hall sensors and are consequently less susceptible to dust, moisture and temperature fluctuations. That ensures precise positioning in rough industrial surroundings. The new magnetic encoder from Nanotec converts the rotational movement of the motor coil into incremental square wave signals for rotational measurement. In doing so, 1024 impulses per revolution are generated, resulting in (because of squaring) a resolution of 0.09°. What's more, the encoder internally generates the three Hall channels from the same signal and, once per revolution, an index impulse for referencing. The reference signal is carried out absolutely synchronously to the Hall phase and thus also aids the positioning accuracy this way. The generation of the Hall signals by the encoder not only reduces the number of components, consequently increasing the fail-safe security, rather this also leads to greater accuracy in the phase distance of the Hall signals than is usually ensured by individual Hall sensors.

For the APB42-type BLDC motors, Nanotec provides a SMCI36 motor controller, which is distinguished by its compact design and has an encoder input. The encoder allows for the exact positioning with BLDC motors, which would not be possible with just Hall sensors, as well as a much larger speed control range. The sinusoidal commutation also significantly improves the motors' smooth operation and noise. An essential factor is the dspDrive® technology employed in the SMCI36. It performs the power management with a resolution of 12 bits and makes it possible to use the controller both with BLDC motors, such as the APB42, and also with stepper motors.

The parameter settings take place by the proven NanoPro software, which does not require any programming knowledge, or if the motor is used in a CAN environment, via NanoCAN or CoDeSys V3 Softmotion from 3S-Smart Software Solutions GmbH.

Press contact:

Stefanie Schneider
Tel.: +49-89-900686-37
Fax: +49-89-900686-50
Email: stefanie.schneider@nanotec.de
Web: www.nanotec.com

About Nanotec
Based in Feldkirchen near Munich, Nanotec GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading manufacturers of motors and controllers for high-quality drive solutions. Since 1991, the company offers a broad product range distinguished by well thought-out design and strict quality control. Certification to the latest ISO 9001:2008 standard by the TÜV Management Service is proof of this quality. In addition to standard motors and power electronics, Nanotec offers customer-specific versions in relatively small numbers and works with its engineers to develop optimum and individualized solutions for its customers. In-house final assembly at the company headquarters in Feldkirchen and broad-based warehousing allow Nanotec to react quickly and flexibly to customer demands.