DC Motor: Wooden vs Metal frame/shaft

AI Thread Summary
Using wooden frames and shafts in DC motors offers potential advantages such as reduced weight and cost, but the overall effectiveness depends on the specific application. While wood can withstand higher temperatures and is strong, alternatives like fiberglass or carbon fiber may provide lighter options, albeit at a higher cost. However, the necessity of metal components for magnetic circuits and structural integrity remains critical, as materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber may not withstand twisting forces over time. The steel case in traditional motors also serves as magnetic shielding, which is essential for minimizing interference. Ultimately, the choice of materials must balance performance, durability, and the specific requirements of the motor's intended use.
Curious007
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In DC motor or even in AC motor, if we use wooden frame and shaft, would it be advantageous than using Metal frame and shaft? Assume that would can with stand any temperature.
 
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Advantageous of using wood rather than metal in what respect?
price, performance, durability,...
You are asking a very open question.
 
Well, we know that wood is much stronger than metal, don't we?

And that wood can withstand higher temperatures than metal, because wood doesn't burn, right?
 
Well the advantages are many. I took wood as example. We can go for Fiber Glass or Cabon fiber, it will make it costly. But isn't it we would have very very light motor for Bikes than Metal frame one.
And I believe we can use any non conducting material for Frame and Shaft, right?
 
What's the real question here?

Of course the "best choice" depends on the situation. If you invent arbitrary different usage scenarios, you will get different "best" choices of material. But so what?
 
I was thinking to develop a very light weight DC Motor which will be 5-9 HP and equivalent to 100-150 CC gas engine for RC plane and Small e-bike.
 
Curious007 said:
In DC motor or even in AC motor, if we use wooden frame and shaft, would it be advantageous than using Metal frame and shaft?
I think you'll find the iron stator cores (poles) are bolted to the steel case meaning the case does double duty[/size]providing a low reluctance magnetic circuit linking one pole to the next. If you manufacture the case in fibreglass, you'll have to add iron to join the poles.
 
Can't we have everything in Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber including nuts, bolts, shaft, frame etc except Coil and Magnets to make it complete high performance motor?
 
You might find fibreglass or carbon fibre fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.) a bit hard to come by. The properties of these materials don't lend themselves to standing up well to being twisted over a long period of time.
 
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So in that case only for frame we can use Carbon fiber and then use Metal for shaft? Looks like I might be able to cut the weight by 30-40% max if I use Carbon frame.
 
  • #11
As I indicated, you still need something like a cylinder of thick magnetic material (e.g., steel ) inside the frame to bolt the poles to and provide them with a complete magnetic path.

I'd say the steel case also affords magnetic shielding. Without a complete shield, the rapidly rotating fields would generate interference outside the case, causing things to vibrate and inducing nuisance voltages.
 
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