All about Motion and Motor Control

Introduction

• Presenter: Tobias Wendlandt, Director of ADI Trinamic
• Context: We're surrounded by small electric motors in everyday life (ATMs, airport security, medical devices, etc.).
• Statistics: More electric motors are added each year than the human population. Half of the world's electricity consumption is due to electric motors.
• Goal: Reduce power consumption, noise, and stress caused by electric motors.

Types of Motors Discussed

• Fractional horsepower motors
  • Stepper motors
  • Brushless DC motors
  • Brush DC motors

Key Concepts

Motor Control vs Motion Control

• *Motor Control:
  • Involves voltage, current, turning speed, and position acceleration.
  • Focuses on supplying current to motor coils to generate motion.
• *Motion Control:
  • Involves acceleration, positioning algorithms, and specific motion profiles.
  • Focuses on managing acceleration, deceleration, and overall motion.

Applications of Electric Motors

• Found in automated systems: airport security, medical devices, production lines.
• Important for increasing automation and efficiency.

Innovations by ADI Trinamic

Improving Motor Control

• Automation: Advances allow new medical devices (e.g., malaria testers, COVID PCR testers).
• Precision and Noise Reduction: Stepper motors can now move more smoothly and silently.
• Miniaturization: Small motors are essential for wearable, battery-powered devices.
• Energy Efficiency: Reduced power consumption increases battery life.

Solutions by ADI Trinamic

• Building Blocks: Ready-to-use components to speed up design cycles.
• Integration: Algorithms and digital portions are integrated into ICs and board-level products.
• Product Offerings:
  • Single-chip solutions, multi-axis boards, mechatronics solutions (PANdrive™), and motion cookies.

Types of Motors and Their Uses

• Stepper Motors: High torque at low speeds, can often be used without a gearbox.
• Brushless DC Motors: Higher speed applications, often sensor-based (Hall sensors, encoders).
• Sensor Feedback: Key for dynamic response and precision.

Features of ADI Trinamic Products

Sensorless Control and StallGuard™ Technology

• Load Angle Visualization: Indicates the angle between electrical and magnetic fields.
• CoolStep™ Technology: Adjusts current based on load, improving energy efficiency.
• StallGuard™: Detects mechanical hard stops to save on sensors and improve efficiency.

Microstepping and Noise Reduction

• Resolution	Audible Noise	Vibration
  16x Microstepping	Lower	Less
  256x Microstepping	Much Lower	Much Less

  • StealthChop: Further reduces audible noise and stabilized motor systems.

Software Solutions

• High-level interfaces like USB and Ethernet to simplify motor control integration.
• Evaluation Kits (EV Kit): To assess and develop motor control solutions.

Ramping Profiles and Motion Control

• Ramping Profiles: Improved acceleration and deceleration profiles for smoother movements.
• Motion Controllers: Dedicated building blocks for different stages from open-loop to field-oriented control.

Open Loop vs. Closed Loop Systems

• Open Loop: No sensor, straightforward.
• Closed Loop: Uses sensors for higher efficiency and precision.
• Sensorless Options: Technologies like StallGuard and CoolStep offer sensor-like performance without actual sensors.

Conclusion

• ADI Trinamic streamlines the process of motor and motion control with efficient, reliable, and precise solutions.
• Importance of reducing energy consumption and stress in automated systems.
• Visit Mouser.com for more information and products.