AC/DC small motors are used across a wide variety of industries for an even wider variety of purposes. While many elements go into manufacturing an AC or DC small motor that will function as intended, one of the most important of these elements is the shaft. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the role that quality shafts play in AC/DC small motors as well as how these motors are used across a number of industries.

How Shafts in AC/DC Motors Function

The shaft in a motor is a cylindrical component that extrudes out from the motor and its housing. The purpose of the shaft is to convert energy from the motor into the end use application. Precision pins and shafts operate as a function of speed vs torque. When no load is applied to the shaft, it will run at its fastest speed for that voltage with near zero torque. When enough load is applied to the shaft that it stops spinning entirely and its speed becomes zero, it will generate the maximum amount of torque for that voltage and is said to be operating at stall torque. DC motors are designed to run under low torque and are considered to exhibit optimal performance when the shaft is running at the medium between zero load and stall torque. If more torque is needed, a gear reducer is often coupled with the motor in order to reduce the shaft speed and increase its torque.

Common Uses of AC/DC Motors

AC/DC motors are used in a wide range of industries and applications depending on the type of AC or DC motor in consideration. Outlined below are a few of the most common types of AC/DC motors and their typical uses.

• Synchronous AC Motors: In a synchronous AC motor, the shaft speed is kept constant. This makes synchronous AC motors ideal for high-precision positioning devices used in robotics and instrumentation.
• Induction AC Motors: Induction AC motors produce a large amount of torque and are therefore very commonly used thanks to their load capacity. You'll often find induction AC motors used in household appliances as well as pumps, conveyor belts, compressors, and other manufacturing equipment.
• Brushed DC Motors: Brushed DC motors are preferred for cost-sensitive applications where the required controls are relatively simple. They are commonly used in consumer applications as well as some basic industrial equipment.
• Brushless DC Motors: Brushless DC motors have a higher initial cost than brushed DC motors, however, they make up for that cost by exhibiting a longer life-span for high use applications. Brushless DC motors are often used in fans, pumps, compressors, and other applications where a high degree of reliability and durability is required.

Conclusion

AC and DC motors play a vital role across all industries, and the shafts that go into these motors are a critical component of their performance. If you would like to learn more about equipping your AC/DC motors with our high-quality shafts, we invite you to contact us today.