High-speed motors are at the top of anyone’s list of innovations that have transformed manufacturing in the 21st century. Powered by higher rotor speeds, more current running through the stator winding, and superior bearings, these motors have propelled manufacturing to new heights in the last few decades. High-speed motors mean more precise abilities for machining materials–including anything from high-grade plastics to sophisticated alloy metals–and accomplishing it with faster production times. 

Spinning at 18,000 rpm, and often faster, these ultra-fast electrical motors permit manufacturers to step up production to previously unprecedented volumes. These motors are found at all levels of manufacturing and production, including medical device manufacturing, food processing, machinery and plant engineering, and much more. 

All of this is at a level not possible or even envisioned a few decades ago. 

A September 2023 article in Automation World cites several of these more recent developments enabling high-speed motor design, including:

• Two-pole technology that enables greater speeds and lower noise levels.  
• Electronic, brushless motors using permanent magnets.
• Rigid shaft motors with improved airflow. 

Other innovations include the development of automatic bearing greasers and high-quality balancing. These features allow shafts, which transfer the power of the motor, to turn consistently at higher RPMs. Added into this equation are improvements in the delivery of electrical power and the advent of variable-speed drives. 

Engineers and designers, armed with these developments in high-speed motors, have also developed new and different designs of motors, prompting the appearance of another subclass of motor: specialty motors. Specialty motors are designs customized for specific projects. The potential features of a specialty motor include a smaller footprint, adaptability to variable-speed drives, or whether the motor is air-cooled or water-cooled. The specific features of each specialty motor will depend greatly on the requirements of the project at hand.

AC motors used in manufacturing are divided into two main categories: synchronous motors and asynchronous motors.  Synchronous motors run at a constant speed, a function of the interaction between the magnetic field in the stator and the rotating field in the rotor (remember, opposing magnetic fields repel, which causes the motion in an electrical motor). Synchronous motors require an electrical current, a process known as excitation, to create these magnetic fields. These motors are highly efficient and best for applications requiring precision. They are commonly found in larger applications of 1,000 horsepower or more. 

Asynchronous motors are also known as induction motors. The power supply creates a magnetic field around the stator. The relative speed between the stator’s magnetic field and the rotor’s conductors produces an electromagnetic field in the rotor conductors. Electricity is induced on the rotor because of electromagnetic induction as opposed to electrical wiring connections, which is where the term induction comes from.

Nikola Telsa developed the technology behind the induction motor more than 100 years ago. These motors are highly reliable and have few maintenance requirements, so they are widely used in commercial and industrial applications. 

Asynchronous or induction motors are more often used for applications where maintenance schedules are not as diligent, like in a residence or a factory.  

CNC machining operations using spindles benefit greatly from the increased capabilities of high-speed motors. The higher speeds allow for grinding that results in cleaner cuts, more detail, minute precision capabilities, and superior finishes. 

Moreover, CNC operations using these high-speed motors in their spindles achieve greater production speeds on a broader range of metals and alloys. High-speed motors also enable better microdrilling and micromachining. 

CNC operations are not the only beneficiaries of these motors’ capabilities, either. These motors are also used in robotics, manufacturing, orthopedics, and even the drills your dentist uses.

Here’s the conundrum or riddle of speed vs. torque in motors. Every motor design has a maximum RPM, and it has a maximum torque rating. If you place those two values on a graph (as they do in most sales brochures for electrical motors), torque and speed are not the same line. At some point, depending on the design or the motor and other factors, torque will fall off. 

Manufacturers need to be clear in their requirements for motors. In a quest to achieve enough torque, it’s easy to make the mistake of looking at speed. This is not always the case.

When choosing an electric high-speed motor for your CNC or spindle operations, there are three major considerations:

• The intricacy a manufacturer needs to achieve in the machining process.
• The type of material being machined; a harder material needs more torque to make the cut and produce a good finish.  
• The production speeds you need to achieve.

These are the kinds of questions you need to answer before you select a motor. 

Beyond a design that fits the needs of the application, there are other factors to consider when deciding on an electric motor. These include:

• Reliability–Maximized uptime means uninterrupted production.
• Extended motor life–Simple operation translates to a longer service life. 
• Minimum maintenance–Maintenance often requires downtime. Maintenance needs for your motor are ideally minimal. 

Matching the right motor to the job is the secret to a high-functioning process, whether it is a CNC machining operation, designing the best compressed air source for your factory needs, powering a conveyor belt, or any other manufacturing operation.  

The right motor keeps production at a high, minimizes downtime for maintenance and repairs, saves on energy costs, and serves you well in many functions. 

It’s worth your time to do all the research. 

GMN carries the EMOT line of electric high-speed motors. These motors feature high power density, a compact and robust design, and high-quality balancing with precision ball bearings. The complete line of EMOT high-speed motors means that there is a speed and torque combination for just about any requirement.  

Other features include:

• Water-cooled designs.
• Designed according to the international standards of DIN EN 60034-7.
• Lower noise levels. 
• Temperature monitoring
• Vibration sensors
• Customized assembly options

Contact GMN USA Today for a Perfect Match for Your High-Speed Motor Needs