Knowledge
[Basic Knowledge for Selecting a Motor]
SANYO DENKI 's product and technical information site
-
- Free Word Search
In agriculture and food manufacturing, ensuring food safety and improving production efficiency in the face of labor shortages are of paramount importance.
In the agricultural sector, automation is urgently needed due to a shortage of successors and labor. Furthermore, in the food manufacturing sector, with the mandatory implementation of HACCP requiring strict hygiene management, the introduction of automation technology is rapidly progressing to improve operational efficiency.
At the heart of this automation is the "control motor." Its stable operation control reduces variations in packaging and filling processes, contributing to overall quality improvement of the equipment. Furthermore, the use of waterproof motors enables use in applications where water is present, such as cleaning equipment, and in outdoor environments.
This article provides tips for selecting control motors by introducing typical types of control motors, their characteristics and selection points, and actual implementation examples.
Control motors used in agricultural machinery and food processing equipment come in the following types. Understanding the characteristics of each type and selecting the most suitable one for your equipment is crucial.
This is a control motor with a simple structure and open-loop control. It is suitable for repetitive operations and light load applications, and is effective in agricultural machinery and food manufacturing equipment where steady positioning is required, such as in conveying and filling processes on packaging lines. It is less expensive than servo motors and offers excellent cost performance. On the other hand, it has issues such as misalignment, step loss, and vibration, and is inferior to servo motors in terms of control accuracy.
Agricultural machinery and food processing equipment are among the most commonly used control motors due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of control.
This motor can control position, speed, and torque with high precision.
Closed-loop control using high-resolution encoders achieves both high-precision positioning and high responsiveness. It is ideal for processes requiring precise control, such as precision seeding and automated harvesting robots in agricultural machinery, and robotic arms and alignment mechanisms in food processing equipment. However, it is more expensive than stepping motors, and the control system is somewhat more complex.
This control motor combines the features of both servo motors and stepping motors, automatically switching between closed-loop control during rotation and open-loop control when stopped.
Compared to stepping motors, it achieves step-free operation, low vibration, and low noise, while offering high reliability, high precision, and smooth operation similar to servo motors. Furthermore, for applications that do not require the high functionality and performance of servo motors, it allows for the construction of more cost-effective systems. Because it can optimally control the current according to the load, it is ideal for applications such as stirring viscous liquids in agricultural machinery and food processing equipment.
| Motor Type | Accuracy | Responsiveness | System Difficulty | Cost | Frequency of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stepping Motors | Medium | Medium | Low | Low | Many |
| Servo Motors | High | High | High | High | Small |
| Closed Loop Stepping Motors |
High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Motor Type | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Stepping Motors |
|
|
| Servo Motors |
|
|
| Closed Loop Stepping Motors |
|
|
In agricultural and food manufacturing environments, motors are often exposed to moisture, humidity, and dust, requiring waterproof and dustproof performance. In particular, food manufacturing frequently involves periodic high-pressure cleaning for HACCP-compliant hygiene management, requiring motors to withstand these conditions.
Sanyo SANYO DENKI 's control motors offer a wide range of protection ratings, from IP40 to IP67.
*IP40 only provides protection against foreign objects; it does not provide protection against water ingress.
How to read and chart the protection grade
Let's look at some anticipated use cases to see which motors are used in which types of machinery and equipment.
*This is just one example. The actual optimal motor will vary depending on the equipment design and operating environment.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: While it's necessary to maintain a consistent spacing and depth between species, high-precision control down to the millimeter is not required.
• Recommended motor: Servo motor
• Reason: Responsiveness is crucial for adjusting the harvesting position and speed in real time.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Simple control is often sufficient for positioning and transporting the fruit, resulting in low costs.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Tray transport often only requires low speeds and can be controlled using an open-loop system.
• Recommended motor: Closed-loop stepping motor
• Reason: Because the viscosity and volume of the liquid change, a closed-loop stepping motor that can handle load fluctuations is suitable.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Often, low speed is sufficient, and it can be controlled using an open-loop method.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Step control is ideal for gradually adjusting the amount of liquid or paste. For applications requiring precise weighing or high speed, choose a servo motor or closed-loop stepping motor.
• Recommended motors: Stepping motors, closed-loop stepping motors
• Reason: Allows for step-by-step control of cutting position and speed. Often, the precision of a servo motor is not required, and cost is a major consideration. Servo motors or closed-loop stepping motors are chosen when oil or grease during cutting becomes a load, or when precise weighing or high speed is required.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: The positioning and timing of ingredient addition can be controlled in an open loop.
• Recommended motor: Closed-loop stepping motor
• Reason: A closed-loop stepping motor is suitable for precisely controlling the filling amount and can handle load fluctuations.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Because it is not high-speed, open-loop control is often sufficient, resulting in low cost.
• Recommended motor: Stepper motor
• Reason: Label placement can be easily adjusted using step control.
• Recommended motor: Servo motor
• Reason: A servo motor is ideal because it requires multi-axis movement and high-precision positioning.
You might also like this article: Stepper motors enable high-performance food processing plants.
SANYO DENKI offers a wide range of control motors to meet the diverse needs of agricultural machinery and food processing equipment.
It achieves high torque, low vibration, and low noise. Significant miniaturization and weight reduction have been achieved through a review and optimization of component design, while still delivering high torque.
The "SANMOTION F" series stepping drivers comply with international product safety standards (such as UL standards) as standard. They offer a wide range of models and have obtained protection ratings (IP40 to IP65). Flexible customization is possible to meet individual customer requirements, including shaft machining and damper mounting.
Learn more: Motor Customization Examples
This AC Servo Systems offers improved servo performance and energy efficiency.
The speed-frequency response has been increased to 3.5 kHz (1.6 times that of our conventional product*), and high-resolution encoders ranging from a standard 23 bits (64 times that of our conventional product*) to a maximum of 27 bits can be selected. In addition, its compact and lightweight design contributes to the miniaturization of equipment and space-saving design.
The servo motor body of the "SANMOTION G" has obtained an IP67 protection rating.
*Our previous product: AC Servo System SANMOTION R
This stepper motor combines the advantages of both types of motors: it's easier to use than a servo motor and more reliable than a stepper motor.
The position detection sensor automatically switches between closed-loop control while rotating and open-loop control when stopped.
Therefore, it does not experience stepping out like a stepping motor, contributing to reduced vibration and improved reliability of the device.
The current is optimally controlled according to the load. The motor itself has an IP40 protection rating.
H Company, a food processing machine manufacturer, faced the challenge of increasing the speed of its processing machines to cope with the increased production volume during peak seasons. Conventional induction motors required increasing motor capacity to compensate for insufficient torque at low speeds, and there were concerns about the impact on food quality due to heat generation. SANYO DENKI proposed the closed-loop Stepping Systems" SANMOTION Model No.PB ( Closed Loop )". Compared to existing motors, it is 1/5 the size and 1/10 the weight, and heat generation is suppressed. Furthermore, speed adjustment is easy with a switch. As a result, the processing speed was doubled, and the equipment was made more compact.
Stepping Motor Case Study | 095 | We want to increase the processing speed of food processing machinery to match the peak season!
*This is an example from 2019.
Food handling equipment manufacturer Company B faced challenges in shortening cycle times and reducing costs. They adopted servo motors for their new product, but lacked expertise and were unsure about the selection process. SANYO DENKI provided selection support, revealing that the servo motors were over-specced. By optimizing the motor and amplifier capacities, they achieved cost reductions. Furthermore, the IP65 waterproof rating made cleaning possible.
AC Servo Motor Case Study | 079 | Optimizing Motor and Amplifier Capacities to Achieve Cost Reduction!
*This is an example from 2018.
Sanko Seisakusho, a manufacturer of blade sharpening machines, faced the challenge of wanting to automate its sharpening machines but lacking the necessary know-how. SANYO DENKI proposed the "SANMOTION C S100" linear drive stepping motor, 4-axis integrated driver, and Motion Controller, and supported a control method that replicated the skills of experienced operators. This enabled both automation and space saving, leading to the successful development of the machine.
Motion Controller Case Study | 112 | What led to the success of product development: a compact motor and meticulous technical support?
*This is an example from 2021.
Supervised by: SANMOTION Group, Sales Department, SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.
Release date:
Aiming to be the world's No. 1 in manufacturing
Technical capabilities that enable advanced customization
Our 100th anniversary soon
Global Network
