Selecting the appropriate motor is a critical factor that determines product performance in product development requiring precise control, from medical devices to industrial equipment. However, many engineers likely struggle with questions like "What types of motors are available?" and "Which motor is best suited for our specific application?"

Motors are classified into various types based on their operating principles and structures, each possessing distinct characteristics and suitable applications.

This article provides a clear overview of the main types of small precision motors and key selection criteria, introduces key selection points, and clarifies specialized terminology used in catalogs. This article also introduces the high-performance small motor products offered by C.I. Takiron Corporation, so please consider them.

MAJOR TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL PRECISION MOTORS

Small precision motors are used in fields requiring advanced control, such as medical equipment and optical devices. Focusing primarily on DC (direct current) motors, this article will examine the structure and characteristics of the following types: brushed motors, brushless motors, and Coreless motors.

Contents Explained in This Section

• Basic Structure of Brushed DC Motors
• Features of Brushless DC Motors
• Unique Characteristics of Coreless motors

Understanding the operating principles, advantages, disadvantages, and suitable applications of each motor type enables appropriate selection decisions in product development.

Brush-type DC motors represent one of the most fundamental motor structures. They generate rotation by mechanically switching the direction of current flow using brushes and a commutator. Their simple structure facilitates lower manufacturing costs and allows for relatively straightforward control circuit design. They are often chosen for cost-sensitive applications or small-scale prototype development.

However, since the brushes and commutator physically contact one another during rotation, wear and tear is unavoidable. Over extended use, the brushes wear down, requiring periodic replacement and maintenance. Furthermore, sparks generated at the contact points can easily produce electrical noise, potentially affecting surrounding electronic circuits. Applications requiring continuous operation or long service life necessitate designs that account for these factors.

Brushless DC motors are characterized by their structure lacking brushes and commutators. Current switching is controlled by electronic circuits, eliminating physical contact points and virtually removing lifespan limitations due to wear. This enables maintenance-free, long-term stable operation.

The main features of brushless DC motors are as follows:

*Varies depending on drive and load conditions.

Brushless DC motors are widely adopted in products requiring long operating times, such as industrial pumps, security equipment, and cooling fans. This makes them the preferred choice for battery-powered devices, equipment requiring continuous operation, and machinery used in environments demanding quiet operation.

Coreless motors achieve superior characteristics unmatched by other motors due to their unique structure that does not have an iron core. The absence of an iron core results in minimal cogging torque (the slight jerking sensation during rotation), enabling exceptionally smooth rotation. Furthermore, their low inertia provides excellent high-speed responsiveness, allowing for rapid start-up and stopping.

They excel in applications demanding high-precision control, such as lens drives for medical endoscopes, focus control in optical equipment, and precision pumps. Their low vibration and quiet operation also make them highly valued in the medical field, where patient safety and stable equipment operation are paramount. Coreless motors are attracting attention from many engineers as a choice that can simultaneously enhance product performance and ensure reliability.

APPLICATION-BASED MOTOR SELECTION CRITERIA

When selecting a motor, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate multiple factors such as the operating environment, required performance, and cost. The motor characteristics required vary significantly depending on the application, such as medical devices, industrial tools, optical equipment, and security devices.

Contents Explained in This Section

• Key Selection Points for Medical and Precision Equipment
• Selection Points for Industrial Equipment and Tools
• Selection Points for Security and Safety Equipment

Understanding how to interpret basic specifications like torque, rotational speed, voltage, and power consumption, as well as recognizing specialized terms listed in catalogs (such as cogging torque, responsiveness, and efficiency), enables optimal selection in practical applications.

Patient safety and high-precision control are paramount in medical devices. For medical applications like endoscopes and pumps, low cogging torque is particularly critical. Cogging torque refers to the minute jerks or vibrations that occur when a motor rotates. High cogging torque makes precise control difficult, potentially leading to patient discomfort or equipment malfunction.

Key factors emphasized in selecting motors for medical and precision equipment are as follows:

Medical devices require instantaneous operation changes and precise position adjustments, necessitating motors that respond swiftly to commands. Long-term reliability is also essential. Since equipment failure in medical settings directly impacts patient safety, motors with low maintenance frequency and long-term stable operation are highly valued. To meet these requirements, Coreless motors and brushless motors are widely adopted by many medical device manufacturers.

Power tools and battery-driven devices demand high torque, lightweight design, as well as requiring a long service life. For tools like electric screwdrivers and nailers used on job sites, lightweight motors are essential to enable sufficient power while allowing operators to hold them comfortably for extended periods. When the required torque cannot be achieved by the motor alone, geared motors (products integrating a motor and gearhead) can be used to reduce rotational speed and increase torque.

Key points for selecting motors for industrial equipment and tools are as follows:

C.I. Takiron Corporation provides geared motors with motors and gearheads optimally matched and verified for the best combination.

While spur gears offer a simple structure and cost savings, planetary gears are compact and achieve high reduction ratios, making them suitable for applications requiring miniaturization. This reliably delivers output characteristics difficult to achieve with a motor alone, enhancing product reliability.

For security and safety equipment like electronic locks and gas detectors, low-voltage start-up, power efficiency, and long service life are central selection criteria. Since many such devices are battery-powered, frequent battery replacement burdens users, necessitating motors capable of extended operation.

Key points for selecting motors for security and safety equipment are as follows:

C.I. Takiron Corporation's Micromotors include models capable of starting at an extremely low voltage of just 1.0V, making them ideal for battery-powered devices. They reliably operate even as battery voltage declines, maximizing battery life until the very end and reducing replacement frequency.

Given their nature as safety devices, failure is unacceptable. Therefore, selecting motors with high reliability and long service life will determine the product's value.

C.I. TAKIRON CORPORATION'S MICROMOTORS PRODUCTS AND TECHNICAL STRENGTHS

C.I. Takiron Corporation develops and manufactures compact, high-performance Micromotors used across diverse fields including medical equipment, industrial machinery, and optical devices. The company's Coreless motors, brushless motors, geared motors, and encoders are highly regarded for their advanced technology optimized for specific applications.

Contents Explained in This Section

• Features and Application Fields of Coreless motors
• Features and Applications of Brushless Motors
• The Role of Geared Motors and Encoders

Our unique strengths - high reliability through domestic design and rigorous quality control, customization tailored to customer applications, support from the development stage, and flexible handling from small lots to mass production - powerfully support product development.

C.I. Takiron Corporation's Coreless motors (φ4 to φ22 range) achieve cogging-free, smooth rotation and high-speed response through their unique ironless core structure. The absence of an iron core results in a low moment of inertia, enabling extremely fast response times from start to stop. Capable of instantaneous response to even slight command changes, they excel in applications demanding precise positioning and speed control.

In medical endoscopes, precise control of minute movements within the body is essential. Cogging-free, smooth rotation directly contributes to patient safety and examination accuracy. Similarly, in lens drives for optical equipment, vibration-free, smooth operation enhances focusing precision and image quality. Furthermore, in equipment handling minute quantities of liquids or reagents, such as precision pumps and analytical instruments, stable flow rate control is achievable. C.I. Takiron Corporation's Coreless motors have a proven track record in high-precision applications.

C.I. Takiron Corporation's brushless motors (φ10 to φ17.4 range) features long life, maintenance-free operation, and significantly reduced vibration and noise. Their structure, lacking brushes and commutators, minimizes performance degradation due to wear, enabling stable operation over extended periods. This makes them highly valued in environments where frequent maintenance is difficult or in applications requiring continuous operation.

In industrial pumps, they deliver stable performance even in lines operating for extended periods, contributing to improved production efficiency. Used in security equipment, they enhance reliability in applications demanding dependable operation, such as electronic locks and access control systems. Furthermore, their low vibration and noise characteristics are a significant advantage in applications requiring quiet operation, like cooling fans and air conditioning equipment. C.I. Takiron Corporation's brushless motors contribute to reducing product lifecycle costs through their long lifespan and high reliability.

C.I. Takiron Corporation's geared motors (φ12, φ16, and φ22) are offered as products with optimally matched motors and gearheads. Geared motors are used to reduce rotational speed and increase torque, reliably achieving output characteristics difficult to achieve with a motor alone. The customer is able to choose between spur gears and planetary gears depending on the application. Since the optimal combinations have been verified, this leads to shorter development times and stable performance.

Furthermore, encoders are devices that enable precise feedback of motor position and speed. Combining encoders allows for more advanced control, enabling applications such as precise motion control of robotic arms and improved positioning accuracy in machine tools, with broad utilization expected across various fields.

C.I. Takiron Corporation provides comprehensive support for customer product development by offering value not only through individual motors but also as part of a complete system.

SUMMARY

Small precision motors come in a wide variety, including brushed motors, brushless motors, and Coreless motors, each with distinct characteristics and suitable applications. Selecting the optimal motor for product development requires a comprehensive assessment of the operating environment, required performance, cost, and other factors.

Key considerations vary by application: low cogging torque and high-precision control for medical devices, high torque and lightweight design for industrial tools, and low-voltage start-up and power efficiency for security equipment. Accurately understanding catalog specifications and technical terms to identify motors matching your product requirements is crucial for maximizing performance.

C.I. Takiron Corporation offers a comprehensive lineup of high-performance compact motors, including Coreless motors, brushless motors, geared motors, and encoders, with proven track records across diverse fields such as medical, industrial, optical, and security applications. Our strength lies in high reliability achieved through domestic design and rigorous quality control, support from the customer's development stage, and flexible customization tailored to specific applications. Our optimally matched geared motors reliably deliver output characteristics difficult to achieve with a motor alone, and we flexibly accommodate orders from small lots to mass production.

When you need assistance selecting a motor, we support you as a partner to enhance product reliability and shorten development cycles.

Product Information & Inquiries

For detailed information on C.I. Takiron Corporation's Micromotors products, please visit the website below.

• Product Site: https://cik-ele.com/en/
• Coreless motors: https://cik-ele.com/en/products/list/coreless-motors-en/
• Brushless motors: https://cik-ele.com/en/products/list/brushless_motors-en/
• Geared motors: https://cik-ele.com/en/products/list/gearheads-en/
• Encoder: https://cik-ele.com/en/products/list/encoders-en/

If you are having trouble selecting a small motor for your product development, please feel free to consult us via the inquiry form. Our technical staff will discuss your application and requirements and propose the optimal solution.

• Contact Us: https://cik-ele.com/en/contact/