Motor name game video: Looking for a motor? Know what to ask for

Different motor names have evolved for the same motor technology, which can create confusion, even among engineers who work in motion control. A 4-minute Control Engineering tutorial video interview explains.

By Dan Jones, Mark T. Hoske August 28, 2011

Different motor names have evolved for the same motor technology, which can create confusion, even among those who have been around motion-control technologies awhile, according to Dan Jones, president, Incremotion Associates/Motion Media Group.

In a 4-minute CFE Media tutorial video, Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering, asks some basic questions about motors and some different terms being used.

Jones, who has presented globally on motor engineering and design, explains some motor history, and how five names evolved for essentially the same motor technology:

  • Brushless dc motor
  • Brushless ac servo
  • Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)
  • Electronically controlled (or electronically commutated) motor (ECM), and
  • Brushless PM (permanent magnet) motor.

www.incremotion.com

Incremotion Associates

See other Control Engineering videos:

www.controleng.com/media-library/videos.html

See a name game tutorial article on process control terms:

Back to Basics: Relearning terms, concepts for process control – Process control terms vary according to engineering discipline and industry. A common vocabulary and better understanding of process control fundamentals make teams and communications more efficient and effective.

ONLINE Training Center offers in-depth tutorials on motors, drives, and other topics. https://www.controleng.com/media-library/online-training-center.html