How micromotors are helping save the environment

In supermarkets, for example, brushless DC motors are replacing the less efficient AC drives traditionally found in food fridges, to reduce their energy consumption. Dave cites a study carried out with the support of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which found that “retail food outlets are responsible for around 3 per cent of total electrical energy consumption” and that “refrigeration systems account for between 30 and 60 per cent of energy used”.

Micromotors are also key to increasing automation in cars, as they contribute to reducing the weight of the vehicle and thus the amount of fuel required to power it. Dave Walsha points out that many modern vehicles now feature ironless rotor motors in place of iron-core DC motors – not only because they are lighter but also because they are more energy-efficient and power-dense.

In airplanes, too, equipment is more electrically actuated than ever. The likes of powered seats, screens and window shutters all require motors, so having the most power-dense device available makes sense, in terms of efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

Finally, when it comes to growing food crops, fighting weeds and pests is a major challenge. According to Dave Walsha, agricultural robots not only rise to that challenge but also reduce the need to use environmentally damaging pest-control chemicals. He explains that agricultural robots use a vision system to seek out weeds in fields and then remove them using their actuated robotic ‘arms’. To be able to do so, the robots require quality precision actuation, with high levels of power density. This, explains Dave, means that a reliable choice of servo motors is crucial.

For more information on how micromotors could benefit your application, visit https://www.ems-limited.co.uk/products/motors/