Compact servo motors with inductive encoders from Maxon

The abbreviation MILE stands for "Maxon's Inductive Little Encoder". The operating principle is based on measurement of high-frequency inductive fields, which generate eddy currents in an electrically conductive target disk. The advantages of a high-frequency inductive measuring method in comparison with classic encoders are:

• High robustness against dust or oil vapours. This means that no additional protective measures, such as covers, are necessary
• High speed
• High resistance to interference pulses (for example resulting from PWM controllers or motor magnets)

These properties make the flat motors with MILE encoders well suited for positioning tasks or high-precision speed control. A significant advantage is provided by the small size of the encoder: the encoder disappears almost invisibly into the motor.

This system has been built into flat motors with success for the past 2 years. A new type has been added to the portfolio and there are now three performance classes available: The motors with 45mm diameter provide a respectable 30 to 70W, depending on the length (between 15 and 28.4mm). These drive units can be used both for high speeds of up to 10,000 rpm, and for direct drive with a continuous torque of up to 130mNm. If required, the motor can be combined with a GS 45 spur gearhead or a GP 42 C high-torque planetary gearhead. The offer is rounded off by the ESCON servo amplifiers and EPOS2 positioning motor controllers.

The larger 90W flat motor EC 90 flat is now available with eight different impulse counts with up to 6400 counts per turn. The drive is characterised by high repetition accuracy thanks to the 6400 counts per turn of the sensor. Newly available are versions of the EC 90 flat MILE encoder with binary resolution. Binary resolution has the advantage that digital controllers can be manufactured with simpler processors, and thus with faster commands.

A number of possible combinations of the brushless motors (BLDC) make them suitable for use in many different fields of application. The user is free to decide whether the main focus should be on a high continuous torque rating, positioning tasks with high dynamics and repetition accuracy, or on robustness and resistance to external influences. And not least, the geometry can also play an important role: thanks to its flat construction, the drive can be used in narrow spaces.

To learn more about these flat motors, please visit www.maxonmotor.co.uk.