How to build a simple AC motor with Styrofoam

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around building a simple AC motor using styrofoam, magnets, screws, and magnet wire. Participants explore the design, construction, and operation of the motor, including questions about wiring, current types, and the use of a commutator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Alexia-m describes her current motor design, including the arrangement of magnets and coils, and asks whether the winding direction of the coils matters.
  • Some participants suggest that the winding direction does matter due to the alternating polarities of the magnets.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of using AC current instead of DC, with some participants explaining that DC would cause the rotor to lock in place.
  • Participants propose using a commutator made from aluminum wrapped around a stick to apply current for only half a turn, but there is disagreement on its applicability to Alexia-m's design.
  • Some participants mention the importance of timing the current to the coils and suggest that positioning conducting strips around the axle could help achieve this.
  • There is a suggestion that the design and timing of the motor is ultimately the responsibility of Alexia-m.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for AC current and the importance of coil winding direction, but there is disagreement regarding the effectiveness and implementation of a commutator in the proposed design. The discussion remains unresolved on several technical aspects.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the specific design choices and their implications, such as the effectiveness of the commutator and the arrangement of coils and magnets. There are also unresolved questions about the best way to achieve the desired motor function.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and hobbyists interested in building electric motors, particularly those exploring DIY projects in physics and engineering.

alexia-m
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Hello everyone,

For my physics class, I want to build an AC motor with styrofoam, magnets, screws and magnet wire.

So far, I have built a cylinder of about 2.5" of radius and 1" in height with eight magnets (strengh 6/10) around it. Each magnet is glued on the side of the cylinder alternatively north, south, north, ... .
This cylinder is crossed by a wooden stick that allows it to rotate.

I also built a ring of styrofoam that goes around the cylinder. Across each magnet on the outer ring, I have eight screws with wire magnet wrapped around them (150 turns each).

Should I wrap the bolts alternatively counterclockwise and clockwise or does that matter?

Also, I heard that I need to have AC current going through it (I have tried with a 9V battery in the past which didn't make the system rotate). How can I get an AC current going through it?

I also tried to light a small LED light by connecting the magnet wires around one bolt to the led light and forcing the center wheel to turn. The light did NOT turn on. How can I make it light up? If I connect all the coils in series, would that work?

My teacher said that there was a way to make a commutator with aluminum wrapped around a stick and cut on one side. How would that work?

Please, let me know if you have any idea to make this project work.

I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you.

Alexia-m
 

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How can I get an AC current going through it?
Hook it up to an AC voltage source?
My teacher said that there was a way to make a commutator with aluminum wrapped around a stick and cut on one side. How would that work?
It would allow you to apply current for only half a turn.
The principle is the same as: http://www.electronicsinfoline.com/Projects/Science/Physics/Electricity_and_Magnetism/make_a_simple_electric_motor.shtml
... only, there, the insulation has been filed off half the circumference of the wire.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"Should I wrap the bolts alternatively counterclockwise and clockwise or does that matter?"

Yes you should, since your magnets are arranged with alternating polarities. It does matter.

"Also, I heard that I need to have AC current going through it"

You heard correctly. If you use d.c. the rotor will just lock in one place. With a.c., once you've spun the rotor up to a fast enough speed by hand, it should continue to rotate as a 'synchronous motor'. Its rotation frequency will be a submultiple (depending on the number of poles) of the a.c. frequency.

"My teacher said that there was a way to make a commutator with aluminum wrapped around a stick and cut on one side. How would that work?"

It wouldn't work for your motor, because the rotor has the permanent magnets and the coils are in the 'stator' (stationary bit).
 
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It wouldn't work for your motor, because the rotor has the permanent magnets and the coils are in the 'stator' (stationary bit).
The axle is an insulator right?

Put foil around half the circumference of part of the axle, use two brushes ... one is wired to the power supply and the other to the coil. This will break the circuit for half the cycle.
 
Simon. There are several coils spaced around the stator circumference.
 
Four coils and eight magnets, equally spaced ... yes I saw. The magnets are alternating N-S, everything has nice tidy symmetry. The half-period on half off thing was just an example fo how to do timing, not recommended timing for this particular design. How to design the motor is OPs job, surely?

The point: Positioning conducting strips around the axle can still time the current to the coils however you want (effectively phase-locks a square wave to the rotor) ... this motor will work using a commutator and you don't have to crank it up first.
 
"How to design the motor is OPs job, surely?"

Yes indeed.
 
Alexia-m: PLease report back on how you get on.
 
  • #10
Alexia-m: PLease report back on how you get on.
Second that!
I love these projects - students come up with stuff I'd never think of so I am on tenterhooks to see what you do.
 

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