[Image courtesy of Micromo]
7. Micromo: New 10 mm motor doubles output torque
The new Faulhaber 1024 SR series DC motor from Micromo was a finalist this year in Design News’s Golden Mousetrap Awards in the category of automation and control in drives.
“Its strengths include low noise and vibration, smooth operation and strong output torque. In combination with a gearhead, the output torque can achieve 300 mNm – twice that of similar products on the market. Portable medical devices and optical systems are excellent application matches for the motor’s performance points,” Yengera said.
Micromo redesigned nearly all of the motor’s elements. The Faulhaber 1024 SR series DC motor has a new coil, new commutation system and new magnet. The result, according to Micromo, is a wider speed range under load, with a continuous torque of 1.5 mNm at 7500 rpm and output power above 3W.
Most of the innovations shown look like good advances. BUT the oxygen feed system shown in #7 is far more obvious than the devices available here for at least the past 20 years. So unless it offers a real benefit beyond what has existed for many years, what it provides is “not much.”
Now as to the places where innovation is done, what I have observed is that innovation happens where ever it is not discouraged very much. Some companies work diligently to prevent any innovation anywhere except in their R&D departments, while some, such as 3M and a few others, seek to reward and encourage all their employees to innovate. And some companies, while wanting and needing innovation, have embraced cultures that press deliberately at preventing everything that assists creativity.
Thanks for the insights William. It truly is amazing—the number of ways a company can kill innovation.
Also, anything else we should have included in this list?