DC Motor: Wooden vs Metal frame/shaft

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential advantages and disadvantages of using wooden versus metal frames and shafts in DC and AC motors. Participants explore various materials, including fiberglass and carbon fiber, and their implications for performance, weight, and construction challenges.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the advantages of using wood over metal, prompting a discussion on factors such as price, performance, and durability.
  • Another participant asserts that wood is stronger than metal and can withstand higher temperatures, although this claim is not universally accepted.
  • Some participants suggest that materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber could result in a lighter motor, although they acknowledge the increased cost.
  • A participant emphasizes that the best material choice depends on specific usage scenarios, indicating that there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
  • There is a proposal to develop a lightweight DC motor for applications like RC planes and small e-bikes, which raises questions about material selection.
  • Concerns are raised about the necessity of using steel for the stator cores and the implications of using non-metal materials for structural integrity and magnetic performance.
  • Participants discuss the feasibility of using carbon fiber for the frame while retaining metal for the shaft to reduce weight.
  • One participant warns that fiberglass or carbon fiber fasteners may not be suitable for long-term use due to their mechanical properties.
  • There is a mention of the need for a magnetic material within the frame to ensure proper magnetic circuit functionality and shielding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the advantages of using wood versus metal, with no consensus reached on the best material for motor construction. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal combination of materials for performance and weight reduction.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their arguments, including the need for specific usage scenarios and the mechanical properties of alternative materials. There are unresolved questions about the impact of material choices on magnetic performance and structural integrity.

Curious007
Messages
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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.
 
  • #10
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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