News and New Products

Dyno kit illuminates motor mysteries

By Bill Schweber -- EDN, 8/21/2003

For many electronics engineers, motors fall into the “can’t-live-with-them, can’t-live-without-them” category. A compact dynamometer and motor setup that engineers at the University of Minnesota’s Electric Drive Laboratory developed and available through Motorsoft for $4150 (one), lets you explore or teach about the performance of motor types when driving loads (Picture). The system comprises 80-mm-diameter, interchangeable dc-brush, ac three-phase induction, and permanent-magnet-brushless motors and their electronic drives, coaxially linked via a flexible coupling to the calibrated permanent-magnet dc generator, which acts as a torque-loading device.

The motors operate at 42V maximum, for both safety and compatibility with the upcoming automotive-supply standard, and are limited to 4000 rpm. Maximum continuous output power is 200W, and peak power bursts are to 400W. Except for the permanent-magnet motor, the motors come with 1000-line optical encoder, and the vendor also offers mount-compatible, switched- and synchronous-reluctance motors for $925 each if you want to move on to ad-vanced study. If torque is your thing, you can also get a torque transducer with digital readout for $2500.

Motorsoft Inc, 1-513-934-4598, www.motorsoft.com.