EMA​G Glossary

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Phase 1 Motor

A phase 1 motor (more commonly referred to as a single-phase motor) is an electric motor that operates using a single-phase alternating current (AC) power supply. This is the type of electricity typically found in residential homes and small commercial buildings.

Key Characteristics of Single-Phase Motors:

  • Power Supply: They draw power from a two-wire AC circuit, usually consisting of one "hot" wire and one "neutral" wire. The voltage on this single phase varies in a single, alternating waveform.
  • Lower Power Applications: Single-phase motors are generally used for applications requiring lower horsepower (typically up to 10 hp or less).
  • Common Applications: You'll find them in a wide range of household appliances and small tools, such as:
    • Refrigerators
    • Washing machines
    • Fans (ceiling fans, exhaust fans)
    • Small pumps
    • Air conditioners (residential)
    • Vacuum cleaners
    • Drills and other small power tools
    • Automatic doors
3 Phase Motor

A 3-phase motor is an electric motor that operates on a three-phase alternating current (AC) power supply. This type of power is the standard for industrial and commercial applications due to its efficiency, smoothness, and ability to deliver higher power.

Here's a breakdown of what that means and why they are so widely used:

Key Characteristics of Three-Phase Motors:

  • Power Supply: Instead of a single alternating voltage waveform like in single-phase power, a three-phase system uses three separate AC voltage waveforms. These three waveforms are all of the same frequency but are phase-shifted by 120 degrees relative to each other. This creates a continuous, balanced power supply.
  • Higher Power Applications: Three-phase motors are ideal for applications requiring significant horsepower, typically ranging from a few horsepower up to hundreds or even thousands of horsepower.
  • Common Applications: They are the workhorses of industry and are found in:
    • Large pumps and compressors
    • Conveyor systems
    • Manufacturing machinery (lathes, mills, presses)
    • HVAC systems in large buildings
    • Elevators and escalators
    • Industrial fans
    • Electric vehicles (often using specialized forms like brushless DC motors, which are often fed by a three-phase inverter).
AmTecs 

AmTecs Ltd. (Electric Motors, Drives, and Gearboxes):

  • This company is one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of electric motors and related products.
  • They specialize in a wide range of AC motors, including:
    • Aluminium and Cast Iron frame motors.
    • Various efficiency classes (IE1, IE2, IE3).
    • Hazardous area (ATEX) motors.
    • Brake motors.
    • Single-phase and three-phase motors.
    • IP68 submersible motors
Brake Motor

A brake motor is a type of electric motor that has an integrated braking mechanism. The primary purpose of a brake motor is to provide a fast, controlled, and precise stop, and often to hold a load or shaft in position even when the power to the motor is removed.

Essentially, it's a standard electric motor (either single-phase or three-phase, AC or DC) with an added brake assembly attached to its non-driving end.

Why are Brake Motors Used? Standard electric motors, when power is cut, will "coast" to a stop due to inertia. The time it takes to stop can vary depending on the load and the motor's internal friction. In many applications, this uncontrolled stopping or inability to hold a position is unacceptable or unsafe. This is where brake motors come in.

Brook Crompton

Brook Crompton is a well-established and highly respected name in the world of electric motors. They are a leading global provider of energy-efficient electric motors, known for their quality, innovation, and reliability, with a history spanning over a century.

Here's a summary of what they are known for:

  • Electric Motors: Their core business is the design, manufacture, and distribution of a comprehensive range of AC electric motors. These include:

    • Low, medium, and high voltage motors: Catering to a wide spectrum of power requirements.
    • Energy-efficient motors: A strong focus on IE2 (High Efficiency) and IE3 (Premium Efficiency) motors to help industries reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
    • Hazardous area (ATEX certified) motors: Designed for safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres.
    • Brake motors: As discussed previously, motors with integrated braking for controlled stopping and load holding.
    • Single-phase and three-phase motors: Covering both residential/light commercial and heavy industrial applications.
    • Aluminium and Cast Iron frame motors: Offering different construction materials to suit various environmental and application needs.
    • Specialized motors: Such as those for pump applications, farm duty, and more.
EMAS

RELIABLE POWER TRANSMISSION SOLUTIONSFOR YOUR INDUSTRIAL NEEDS 

Are you looking for a durable and efficient power transmission? Our Shaft Mounted Speed Reducers (EMAS) offer unparalleled performance and reliability ensuring your machinery operates smoothly and efficiently. Ideal for a wide range of industrial applications, these reducers are designed to withstand the toughest environments while delivering exceptional performance. The EMAS stands out in the crowd, boasting meticulous attention to detail and delivering top-notch performance even in the harshest applications.

Applications

  • Versatility: Suitable for various industrial applications, including conveyors, bucket elevators, and mixers.
  • Durability: Constructed from high-quality materials to resist wear and tear, extending the life of your machinery.
  • Easy Maintenance: Designed for hassle-free maintenance, reducing downtime and costs.


EMAV

New Generation Variator

The EMAV Mechanical Variator offers reliable, stepless speed control with exceptional durability for a wide range of industrial applications. Built to withstand tough environments, it ensures smooth performance with minimal maintenance, making it the ideal choice for machinery like conveyors, mixers, and pumps. With the EMAV Variator, you get unmatched reliability and long-lasting performance.

Description

  • 5 Sizes.
  • Aluminium 63-71-80-90.
  • Cast Iron 100/112
  • Input.
  • IEC motor inputs.
  • Universal mounting.
  • Speed Variation.

Applications

  • Conveyor Systems.
  • Lathes.
  • Milling Machines.
  • Grinders.
  • Packaging Equipment .
EMAW

EMAW

Whether you’re looking to enhance efficiency, improve reliability, or reduce maintenance downtime, our worm gearboxes deliver exceptional results. Their innovative design ensures smoother operation, greater load capacity, and quieter performance. Choose EMAG’s new generation worm gearboxes today for a smarter, more reliable solution to all your mechanical needs.

Applications

  • Conveyor Systems
  • Elevators & Lifts
  • Automated Machinery
  • Winches & Hoists
  • Car Park Barriers
Gearex Oil

"Gearex oil" refers to a range of gear lubricants designed for various applications, primarily in automotive, commercial, and industrial settings. The "Gearex" brand is used by several different lubricant manufacturers, so specific properties and uses can vary slightly depending on the exact product and manufacturer.

However, generally, Gearex oils are characterized by:

Key Properties and Benefits:

  • Extreme Pressure (EP) protection: Many Gearex oils are formulated with sulfur/phosphorous additive packs to provide excellent protection against wear, scoring, and scratching of gears operating under high loads and shock loads (e.g., in hypoid, spiral, and helical gears).
  • Thermal Stability: They resist breakdown and oxidation at high temperatures, which helps maintain oil performance and extends service life.
  • Corrosion and Rust Protection: Gearex oils help protect ferrous and non-ferrous components from rust and corrosion.
  • Film Strength: They maintain a strong lubricating film even under severe operating conditions.
  • Anti-foaming properties: They prevent foam formation, which can impair lubrication and lead to component damage.
  • Compatibility with Seals and Gaskets: They are typically formulated to be compatible with common seal materials, minimizing leaks.
  • Viscosity Grades: Available in various SAE viscosity grades (e.g., 75W-80, 75W-85, 75W-90, 80W-90, 85W-140, 90, 140, as well as ISO VG for industrial applications like 68, 100, 150, 220, 320, 460, 680).
  • Mineral, Semi-Synthetic, and Full Synthetic Options: Depending on the manufacturer, Gearex oils can be mineral-based, semi-synthetic, or full synthetic (often using PAO base oils for enhanced performance and extended drain intervals).
  • Limited Slip (LS) Versions: Some Gearex products are specifically designed for limited slip differentials, containing friction modifiers to prevent chatter and noise.

Common Applications: Gearex oils are widely used in:

  • Industrial Equipment:

  • Enclosed gear systems (spur, helical, bevel gears)

  • Industrial bearings and components in circulating, spray, and splash lubricated systems.

  • Other highly-loaded gearboxes operating in extreme pressure conditions.

Horsepower (HP)

Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, or the rate at which work is done. It’s used to describe the power output in machinery equipment.

IEC

When we talk about "IEC motor inputs," we're primarily referring to the electrical power characteristics and related specifications that an electric motor, designed according to IEC standards, is built to receive. The main standard governing rotating electrical machines is IEC 60034, with various parts covering different aspects.

Here are the key IEC motor inputs and related specifications:

1. Electrical Supply Parameters:

  • Rated Voltage (V):This is the voltage at which the motor is designed to operate and achieve its stated performance (power, efficiency, current, etc.). IEC motors are typically rated for standard voltages used globally, often ranging from 50V to 1000V for low-voltage motors.
    • Voltage Tolerance: IEC standards allow for a certain tolerance around the rated voltage (typically ±10%). Operating outside this range can affect performance, efficiency, and motor lifespan.
  • Rated Frequency (Hz):This specifies the input electrical frequency (cycles per second) for which the motor is designed. The most common frequencies are 50 Hz (prevalent in Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.) and 60 Hz (prevalent in North America, parts of South America, etc.).
    • Frequency Tolerance: Similar to voltage, motors are designed to tolerate a certain frequency variance (typically ±5%).
  • Number of Phases:
    • Single-Phase: Used for smaller motors, typically in residential or light commercial applications where three-phase power isn't available.
    • Three-Phase: Most common for industrial and commercial motors due to their efficiency, smoother operation, and ability to produce a rotating magnetic field.
  • Rated Current (A): The full-load current (FLA) the motor draws when operating at its rated power, voltage, and frequency. This is crucial for selecting appropriate cabling, circuit breakers, and motor protection devices.
  • Power Factor (PF): A measure of how effectively electrical power is converted into useful work. It's the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA). Motors are inductive loads, so their power factor is typically less than 1.
Invertek

"Invertek inverters" refers to the Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) manufactured by Invertek Drives. As discussed previously, Invertek specializes solely in these devices, which are often colloquially called "inverters" in the context of motor control.

Here's a summary of what makes Invertek inverters stand out and their key characteristics:

What are Invertek Inverters (VFDs)?

Invertek inverters are sophisticated electronic devices designed to:

  1.  Control the speed and torque of AC electric motors: They achieve this by varying the frequency and voltage of the electrical power supplied to the motor.
  2. Optimize motor performance: They allow motors to operate at precisely the speed required by the application, rather than always at full speed.
  3. Improve energy efficiency: This is a primary benefit, especially for applications like fans and pumps where the load varies. Running a motor at a lower speed significantly reduces energy consumption.
  4. Reduce mechanical stress: Soft starting and stopping (controlled acceleration and deceleration) minimizes wear and tear on the motor and connected machinery, extending equipment lifespan.
Inverter

 Inverters are sophisticated electronic devices designed to:

  1.  Control the speed and torque of AC electric motors: They achieve this by varying the frequency and voltage of the electrical power supplied to the motor.
  2. Optimize motor performance: They allow motors to operate at precisely the speed required by the application, rather than always at full speed.
  3. Improve energy efficiency: This is a primary benefit, especially for applications like fans and pumps where the load varies. Running a motor at a lower speed significantly reduces energy consumption.
  4. Reduce mechanical stress: Soft starting and stopping (controlled acceleration and deceleration) minimizes wear and tear on the motor and connected machinery, extending equipment lifespan.
Kilowatt (kW)

A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. It measures how much energy is being used or produced at a given moment. For example, if an appliance uses 1 kilowatt of power, it means it consumes 1,000 watts every hour it operates.

Maximum Input Power

Electric motors are rated by their mechanical output power, typically in kilowatts (kW) in IEC countries or horsepower (hp) in NEMA countries. The electrical input power will always be higher than the mechanical output power due to the motor's efficiency.

  • Rated Output Power: This is the primary specification you'll see on a motor's nameplate (e.g., 1.5 kW, 10 hp, 500 kW). This indicates the continuous mechanical power the motor can deliver without overheating or premature failure under specified operating conditions (voltage, frequency, ambient temperature, duty cycle).
  • Maximum Input Power (Practical):While a motor has a "rated" output, the actual electrical input power it can handle depends on its design, insulation class, cooling method, and ability to dissipate heat.
MBH

Key Characteristics and Advantages of MBH (SITI) Bevel Helical Gearboxes (and Bevel Helical Gearboxes in general):

  • Right-Angle Configuration: The primary advantage is the ability to change the direction of power transmission, typically by 90 degrees. This is crucial for machinery layouts where space is limited or where the motor shaft needs to be perpendicular to the driven shaft.

  • High Efficiency: Bevel helical gearboxes are known for their high efficiency, often exceeding 90-95% (especially compared to worm gearboxes which can be significantly less efficient). This translates to less power loss, lower energy consumption, and reduced heat generation.

  • High Torque Capacity: The combination of robust bevel gears (often spiral bevel) and high-load helical gears allows them to transmit substantial torque. They are designed for demanding applications.

  • Compact Design: Despite their high power and torque capabilities, the right-angle design can often result in a more compact overall footprint compared to inline helical solutions for certain applications.

  • Quiet Operation: The helical nature of the gear teeth (both the spiral bevel and the subsequent helical stages) provides smoother and quieter operation compared to spur gears, as multiple teeth engage gradually.
  • Durability and Reliability: Built with robust cast iron housings (as seen with SITI's MBH series) and high-quality, case-hardened steel gears, they are designed for heavy-duty applications and long service life.

  • Versatility in Mounting: They typically offer various mounting options, including foot-mounted, flange-mounted, and shaft-mounted, providing flexibility for integration into different machine designs.

  • Wide Range of Ratios: Bevel helical gearboxes are available with a broad range of reduction ratios, allowing for precise speed control to match application requirements. SITI's MBH series, for example, offers ratios up to 226:1.

  • Motor Integration: They are often available as "gearmotors" (where the motor is directly integrated or flange-mounted to the gearbox) or as standalone reducers suitable for connection to standard IEC motors.
MI

"SITI MI" refers to a specific series of worm gearboxes manufactured by SITI S.p.A., the Italian company specializing in power transmission products. The "MI" series is one of their popular lines, often highlighted for its compact design, versatility, and efficiency in certain applications.

Here's a breakdown of the SITI MI series:

What is a Worm Gearbox?

A worm gearbox is a type of gear reducer that uses a "worm" (a screw-like gear) to mesh with a "worm wheel" (a helical-toothed gear). This arrangement provides several unique characteristics:

  • Right-Angle Configuration: Similar to bevel helical gearboxes, worm gearboxes inherently provide a right-angle (90-degree) change in the direction of power transmission.
  • High Reduction Ratios in a Single Stage: Worm gearboxes can achieve very high reduction ratios (e.g., 5:1 up to 100:1 or even higher) in a single stage, which would typically require multiple stages with other gear types.
  • Self-Locking (often): In some ratios and designs, a worm gearbox can be "self-locking," meaning the worm wheel cannot drive the worm. This is a safety feature that can prevent back-driving in applications like conveyors or hoists if power is lost. However, this also means lower efficiency.
  • Compactness: Due to the high reduction ratios in a single stage, worm gearboxes can be very compact for the torque they transmit at the output.
  • Smooth and Quiet Operation: The sliding action between the worm and worm wheel generally results in very smooth and quiet operation.
MHL

The SITI MHL series of gearboxes is an Inline Helical Gearbox line from SITI S.p.A., the Italian manufacturer of power transmission products.

Unlike the SITI MI (worm gearboxes) or MBH (bevel helical gearboxes), the MHL series features helical gearing throughout and maintains an "inline" or coaxial shaft arrangement, meaning the input and output shafts are on the same axis.

Here's a detailed look at the SITI MHL series:

What is an Inline Helical Gearbox?

An inline helical gearbox uses helical gears (cylindrical gears with teeth cut at an angle) arranged in multiple stages (typically 2, 3, or 4 stages) to achieve speed reduction. The shafts remain in line with each other.

Key Features and Characteristics of SITI MHL Series Gearboxes:

  • Inline/Coaxial Shaft Arrangement: Both the input and output shafts are on the same axis. This can be beneficial for machine designs where a straight-through power transmission path is required.
  • High Efficiency: Helical gearboxes are known for their very high efficiency, often exceeding 95-97% for multi-stage units. This translates to minimal power loss, lower energy consumption, and reduced heat generation compared to worm gearboxes.
  • High Torque Capacity: The robust helical gearing allows the MHL series to handle significant torque loads, making them suitable for demanding industrial applications.
  • Durability and Reliability: Constructed with sturdy cast iron housings (for most sizes) and high-quality, case-hardened steel gears, they are built for long service life and continuous operation in tough environments.
  • Smooth and Quiet Operation: The angled teeth of helical gears engage gradually, leading to smoother power transmission and quieter operation compared to straight spur gears.
  • Wide Range of Ratios: The MHL series offers an impressive range of reduction ratios, from single-digit ratios up to 466:1 (and even higher with combined units). This allows for precise control over the output speed.
  • Power Capability: They can handle substantial input power, with some models capable of accepting up to 336 kW (approximately 450 HP). Output torque can reach up to 12,000 Nm.
  • Modularity and Mounting Versatility: Like other SITI products, the MHL series is designed with high modularity, offering various mounting options such as:
    • Foot-mounted
    • Flange-mounted (B5, B14)
    • Solid output shaft
    • Hollow output shaft (for direct shaft mounting)
    • Option for motor adapters (PAM/IEC) for direct motor coupling.
  • Heat Dissipation: Designed with strengthened ribs on the casing to enhance heat dissipation, ensuring maximum performance and durability under intense operational conditions.
  • IEC Standard Compatibility: Designed to seamlessly integrate with standard IEC motors, making them easy to select and install in existing systems.
  • Lubrication: Depending on the size, they may be pre-lubricated for life or supplied without oil, requiring initial lubrication.
NRG

The SITI NRG series refers to Planetary Gearboxes manufactured by SITI S.p.A. This is a very distinct type of gearbox, known for its high torque density and compact size, especially when compared to other gearbox types like helical or worm gears.

Here's a breakdown of the SITI NRG series and the characteristics of planetary gearboxes:

What is a Planetary Gearbox?

A planetary gearbox (also called an epicyclic gearbox) is a gear system consisting of:

  • Sun Gear: A central gear.
  • Planet Gears: Several gears that revolve around the sun gear and also mesh with an outer ring gear.
  • Planet Carrier: A component that holds the planet gears and typically serves as the output shaft.
  • Ring Gear (Annulus): An outer gear with internal teeth that meshes with the planet gears.

The power input can be to the sun gear, planet carrier, or ring gear, with the output coming from a different element, allowing for various reduction ratios and configurations.

Output Flange

An electric motor output flange is a critical mechanical component of an electric motor that provides a standardized mounting interface for connecting the motor to other machinery or equipment. It's essentially a circular or square plate with precisely machined holes and dimensions, located at the drive end (output shaft end) of the motor.

The primary purpose of an output flange is to ensure:

  1. Secure Mechanical Connection: It allows the motor to be rigidly bolted to a gearbox, pump, fan, machine frame, or other driven components, ensuring stable and reliable power transmission.
  2. Accurate Alignment: The flange, particularly its spigot or register diameter, helps to accurately center the motor's output shaft with the input shaft of the driven equipment, minimizing misalignment, which can lead to vibration, premature wear, and efficiency losses.
  3. Space Optimization: Flange mounting often allows for a more compact and integrated design compared to foot-mounted motors connected via couplings.
Output Shaft

The electric motor output shaft is arguably the most critical mechanical component of an electric motor. It's the "business end" that physically extends from the motor housing and connects to the machine or device that the motor is designed to drive.

Primary Function: The main function of the motor shaft is to transmit the rotational mechanical power (torque and speed) generated by the motor's internal electromagnetic forces to external equipment. It's the crucial link that converts electrical energy into useful mechanical work.

Key Roles and Importance:

  • Power Transmission: Directly transfers torque and rotational speed to the driven load (e.g., a gearbox, pump impeller, fan blade, pulley, sprocket, or direct drive coupling).
  • Support for Rotational Components: Internally, the shaft supports the rotor windings and core, and is supported by bearings within the motor housing.
  • Alignment:Proper alignment of the motor shaft with the driven equipment's input shaft is paramount. Misalignment can lead to:
    • Excessive vibration
    • Premature bearing failure (in both motor and driven equipment)
    • Increased noise
    • Reduced efficiency
    • Overheating
    • Catastrophic shaft or coupling failure.
  • Mounting Point: It provides the attachment point for couplings, pulleys, gears, sprockets, or impellers.
Output Torque

The output torque of an electric motor is the rotational force that the motor's shaft delivers to drive a mechanical load. It's the "twisting power" that an electric motor provides to set something in motion or to sustain its motion against a resistance.

Units of Torque:  Newton-meter (Nm): The standard SI unit for torque.

Ratio

The relationship between an electric motor and a gearbox ratio is fundamental to how power is delivered and utilized in almost all industrial and many commercial applications.

Here's a breakdown:

1. The Role of the Electric Motor: 

Speed: Electric motors, especially common AC induction motors, typically operate at relatively high speeds (e.g., 1450 RPM, 2900 RPM for 50Hz motors; 1750 RPM, 3450 RPM for 60Hz motors). These are the motor's rated speeds at which they are most efficient and deliver their full power.

  • Torque: At these high speeds, the motor produces a certain amount of output torque (rotational force).
  • Power: The motor's power output (kW or HP) is a function of its torque and speed.

2. The Need for a Gearbox (Speed Reducer):

Most industrial applications require lower speeds and/or higher torque than what a standard electric motor can directly provide. This is where a gearbox (or speed reducer) comes in.

  • Speed Reduction: A gearbox takes the high input speed from the motor and reduces it to a lower output speed.
  • Torque Multiplication: Critically, as speed is reduced, the torque is simultaneously increased (multiplied) by roughly the same ratio, accounting for the gearbox's efficiency losses. This is the primary reason gearboxes are used: to provide the necessary force to drive heavy loads, which the motor alone might not be able to overcome.
Reducing Bush

A "reducing bush" (sometimes called a "reducing sleeve," "bore reducer," or "reducing insert") is a simple but very useful component used to adapt the size of a shaft or bore to a different, smaller diameter.

How it works:

Imagine you have:

  • A gearbox with a standard input bore, let's say it's designed to accept a 24mm motor shaft.
  • An electric motor with an output shaft that is 19mm.

Without a reducing bush, these two components wouldn't fit together correctly, leading to looseness, misalignment, and ultimately failure.

The reducing bush solves this by:

  1. Being a cylindrical sleeve (often made of steel or brass) with an outer diameter that precisely matches the larger bore (e.g., 24mm).
  2. Having an inner diameter that precisely matches the smaller shaft (e.g., 19mm).

When inserted into the gearbox's input bore, the reducing bush effectively "reduces" the size of that bore to perfectly fit the smaller motor shaft.

Service Factor

The electric motor service factor (SF) is a critical piece of information found on a motor's nameplate, and it represents a multiplier applied to the motor's rated horsepower (or kilowatt) output. In simple terms, it indicates the permissible continuous overload capacity that a motor can handle under specified operating conditions without immediate damage or significantly reduced lifespan.

SiTi

SITI S.p.A. (often simply "SITI"), an Italian company that is a prominent manufacturer of power transmission components, primarily gearboxes, geared motors, and mechanical variable speed drives.

Company Overview:

  • Origin: Founded in 1967 in Monteveglio (Bologna), Italy.
  • Ownership: It remains a family-owned business.
  • Specialization: SITI specializes in the design, development, and production of a wide range of mechanical power transmission solutions.
  • Manufacturing Philosophy: A key distinguishing factor for SITI is its commitment to 100% in-house, "Made in Italy" production. Unlike many competitors, SITI manufactures all its products within its own facilities, maintaining strict quality control over the entire production process from raw materials to finished goods. This emphasis on vertical integration aims to ensure high quality and reliability.
Solid Input

"Solid input" is a bit of an unusual phrasing, as electric motors produce mechanical output. However, in the context of connecting an electric motor to a gearbox or other driven machinery, "solid input" usually refers to the gearbox's input shaft, which is a solid shaft designed to be coupled to the motor's output shaft.

1. Electric Motor Output: Electric motors have a solid output shaft (as discussed previously - cylindrical, keyed, splined, etc.) that rotates. This is the mechanical "output" of the motor.

2. Gearbox Input: Gearboxes require a rotating shaft to receive the power from the motor. There are two primary ways a gearbox receives this "input":

  • Solid Input Shaft (what "electric motor solid input" likely refers to):

    • Description: The gearbox has a distinct, solid shaft protruding from its input side. This shaft is designed to be connected to the motor's output shaft via a coupling.
    • Connection: The motor's solid output shaft is aligned with and connected to the gearbox's solid input shaft using a flexible or rigid coupling. This coupling bridges any minor misalignment and transmits the torque.
    • Advantages:
      • Flexibility: Allows the use of standard motors from any manufacturer.
      • Maintenance: Easier to replace just the motor or just the gearbox if one fails.
      • Installation: Can offer more flexibility in mounting the motor and gearbox separately (e.g., side-by-side with a belt drive, or slightly offset).
    • Disadvantages:
      • Requires a separate coupling, adding cost and complexity.
      • Requires careful alignment during installation.
      • Can take up more space depending on the coupling and mounting arrangement.
    • Used with: Motors that are foot-mounted (IEC B3, NEMA T-frame) or motors that are flange-mounted but still require a coupling to the gearbox (e.g., an IEC B5 motor connected to a gearbox designed for solid input shaft).
SR

A Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) is a type of electric motor that operates on the principle of magnetic reluctance. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

How it Works (The Principle of Reluctance):

  • Simple Construction: Unlike most other motors, an SRM's rotor has no windings, no permanent magnets, and no brushes or commutator. It's typically just a simple, laminated steel core with salient (protruding) poles.
  • Stator Windings: The stator (the stationary part of the motor) has concentrated windings on its salient poles.
  • Magnetic Attraction: Torque is produced by sequentially energizing the stator windings. When a stator pole is energized, it creates a magnetic field. The rotor's iron poles are then attracted to align themselves with the energized stator poles because the magnetic circuit naturally seeks the path of minimum reluctance (the path of least resistance for magnetic flux).
  • Switching: To achieve continuous rotation, the stator windings are switched on and off in a precise sequence, controlled by an electronic drive, always "pulling" the rotor along.

An SR motor (Switched Reluctance Motor) is a unique and increasingly relevant type of electric motor, distinguished by its simple, magnet-free rotor and reliance on precise electronic control to harness the principle of magnetic reluctance for efficient and robust power delivery.

Torque Arm

An electric motor torque arm is a mechanical component used in power transmission systems, most commonly with shaft-mounted gearboxes.

Its primary function is to restrain the rotational reaction force (torque) that the gearbox or motor housing experiences when the output shaft begins to rotate a load. Without it, the entire gearbox or motor housing would try to spin in the opposite direction of the driven shaft.

How it works:

  • When the electric motor drives the gearbox, and the gearbox's output shaft starts to turn the driven machine, the gearbox housing experiences an equal and opposite reaction torque.
  • To prevent the entire gearbox from spinning around the driven shaft, a torque arm is attached to a specific point on the gearbox casing.
  • The other end of the torque arm is then anchored to a fixed, rigid point on the machine's frame or a separate support structure.
  • This arrangement allows the gearbox to "float" slightly on the driven shaft while effectively preventing its rotation.
WEG

WEG is a major global player in the electrical equipment industry, and they are particularly renowned for their electric motors. Headquartered in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, WEG is one of the largest electric motor manufacturers in the world.

Company Background:

  • Founded: 1961 by Werner Ricardo Voigt, Eggon João da Silva, and Geraldo Werninghaus (whose first initials form "WEG").
  • Global Presence: Operates manufacturing units in 17 countries and is present in over 135 countries, exporting to five continents.
  • Diversified Portfolio:While electric motors are a cornerstone, WEG's product range extends far beyond, encompassing:
    • Generators (for various power generation applications, including hydro, wind, and thermal)
    • Transformers
    • Drives (Variable Frequency Drives - VFDs, Soft Starters)
    • Industrial automation equipment and controls (PLCs, HMIs, contactors, circuit breakers)
    • Industrial coatings (paints and varnishes)
    • Gearboxes and geared motors
    • Solutions for electric mobility (e.g., EV charging infrastructure)