n TECHNOLOGY July/August 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 A US COMPANY WHICH has developed a technology that uses PCBs (printed circuit boards) to create electric motor stators, has joined forces with a pump-maker to apply the technology to a “next generation” 3hp (2.2kW) pump motor that, they claim, is much more efficient, lighter and shorter than existing motors. Massachusetts-based ECM PCB Stator Technology says that the axial-flux motor is: n 94% efficient – 2.9% higher than its leading rival; n 68% lighter – 22lb (10kg) rather than 67lb (30.4kg); n needs 66% less copper; and n is just 100mm long, rather than 424mm for the rival. ECM and the unidentified international pump-maker believe that their pump will meet a global need. Pumps are one of the biggest uses for motors with a global demand for more than a billion pumps a year, worth more than $200bn. The developers claim that poorly designed pump systems consume 20% of the world’s electricity – and 25% of the energy used to power electric motors in the US. Traditional pumps, they say, also have shorter lifecycles, resulting in higher operating costs. “Though often overlooked, electrically-powered pumps are an integral component of millions of commercial and industrial systems,” says ECM CEO, Brian Casey. “Pump motors are in drastic need of a 21st century design upgrade. “ECM’s ultra-light, premium-efficiency pump motor design offers the next-generation performance, durability, customisation, and sustainable characteristics the market demands,” he adds. To create the new pump, ECM used its patented PrintStator technology, which pairs the PCB stators with advanced CAD to design premium-efficiency motors that are smaller, quieter, lighter and more durable. ECM is planning to release PrintStator as a SaaS (software-as-aservice) platform later this year. The software can be used to design PCB stator motors that are lighter, quieter, more powerful, more energy- and space-efficient, and greener for a broad range of sectors. They can achieve efficiencies above 90%, while needing up to 70% less raw materials to produce. ECM has already partnered with organisations to create optimised motors for multiple sectors including HVAC, e-mobility, fitness, aerospace and defence, consumer electronics, robotics and renewable energy. https://pcbstator.com DELTA HAS INTRODUCED a pair of compact, mid-range PLCs that use the Codesys development environment. The AX-300N and AX-324N PLCs are compatible with Delta’s AS Series I/Os and support a variety of industrial communication protocols including PLCopen v1.0 function blocks, Ethernet/IP and OPC UA server. The PLCs offer a choice between controllers with built-in I/O, and distributed remote I/O set-ups. The AX-324N PLCs offer 16 built-in digital inputs, eight digital outputs and six 200kHz HSC channels. The AX-300N versions are suitable for distributed remote I/O environments, which can cut cabling costs, simplify scalability, and allow more flexible system designs. Both models provide dual Ethernet ports with support for OPC UA server and EtherNet /IP (scanner/ adapter). The CPUs support FTP/SFTP, MQTT, Profinet Slave and IOLink communications, and can import third-party Codesys routines. Delta’s DIADesigner-AX software integrates Codesys into its DIAStudio software platform. The environment provides support from the planning stage through to execution and commissioning. It simplifies the implementation of both simple and complex motion control, including single- and multi-axis movements, gearing, electronic cams and interpolation. It also helps to ensure compliance with international standards such as IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen. Built-in tools include an oscilloscope, simulator and CAM editor. www.delta-emea.com/en-GB/index Codesys PLCs offer a choice of built-in or remote I/O PCB-stator pump motor is lighter, smaller and more efficient The 3hp PCB-stator pump motor promises greater power, efficiency, and durability in a smaller package. Photo: Business Wire Delta’s AX-324N PLC is designed for distributed I/O applications
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