Motors / Actuators / Generators

PMD has extensive experience designing the mechanical as well as magnetic aspects of various types of motors and actuators.

PMD often works as a subcontractor for motor design manufacturers regarding the mechanical aspects of the projects, teaming up with electrical engineers. PMD could either recommend a single-source solution for various types of motors or actuators, or work with a client to create a custom design.

Several examples of past motor and actuator projects include the following:

Voice Coil Actuators

Design of "macro" actuator for disk drive read-write testing machines, including all aspects of the magnetic design / analysis

Piezo-Drive Micro Actuators

Design of "micro" flexture-based actuator for disk drive read-write testing machines

Magnetostrictive-Driven Micro Actuators

Design of "micro" flexure-based actuator for disk drive read-write testing machines, including all of the magnetic design. The Micro actuator was able to achieve a first resonant frequency of 2kHz, with a range of travel of 20 micro inches.

Brushless DC Motors and Generators

Design of many Brushless DC motors and generators. Designs have included motors as small as .63 inch (16mm) outer diameter, up to as large as 8 inch outer diameter. Designs have included magnetic calculations in addition to the mechanical design.

Designs have also included custom planetary gearheads.

DC Torquer Style Actuators

Design of "macro" actuator for disk drive head read-write testing machines, including all of the magnetic design.