New Axial Flux Motor and Gearbox From WEG

Automated equipment often involves adjusting tooling to interface with customer parts; motors typically provide this motion. WEG is a globally known manufacturer of AC, DC, and Servo motors and other motion control and safety devices used extensively in the industrial automation industry. Recently, WEG announced the release of two new products: an axial flux motor–the W80 AXGen–and the expansion of its WG20 gearbox portfolio with the WG20S.

The W80 AXGen Axial Flux Motor. Image used courtesy of WEG

W80 AXGen Axial Flux Motor

The W80 from WEG is a new product that allows compact motion to be applied to an industrial application. The W80 is an axial flux motor specifically designed for compact, lightweight motion, which empowers OEMs to create efficient products and machines. Controlling the W80 is simple, thanks to WEG offering a wide selection of motor drives. The CFW900 line of inverters provides extensive control and powerful drive to the new W80 AXGen motor. By combining the W80 and CFW900 inverters, designers can create powerful multi-motor designs without inline filters, even with long cable runs.

The WG20S gearbox provides high torque in a small package, enabling innovative applications. Image used courtesy of WEG

WG20S Gearbox

Gearboxes are used with electric motors to reduce RPMs and increase torque. WEG currently has the WG20 line of gearboxes that will interface with many of their electric motors. The product line consists of helical, helical bevel, and parallel shaft gearboxes.

The WG20S combines the efficiency of a helical gear system and the cost savings of a worm drive system. The compact design carries all the same features of the WG20 line: low noise, reliability, and quality. With a torque range of 125 to 1,600 Nm, the WG20S comes in five different sizes and either cast steel or aluminum.

The WG20S uses industry-standard dimensions for versatility when connecting to different makes and models of AC motors. Different output shaft options are offered to accommodate a variety of other applications. Solid or hollow shaft, with a key or shrink disc, and EachLock technology. Mounting the WG20S also has many options including through housing, torque arm, and flange mount.

A conveyor system that uses AC motors with gearboxes. Image used courtesy of Unsplash

Conveyor Belt Speeds

Most continuous-motion conveyor systems will use AC inductive motors to drive the conveyor belt at a constant speed. Unfortunately, these motors have a standard RPM of around 1800, which is way too fast for a typical conveyor belt. Depending on the application, Gearboxes reduce this speed to around 50 to 200 RPM.

Inside a gearbox is a combination of different gears, such as bevel, planetary, and worm gears. With the reduction of RPM comes an increase in torque, also known as mechanical advantage. This ratio will depend heavily on the type and size of the gears used within the gearbox.

The WG20S is a combination gearbox that uses bevel and worm gears to create a compact, low-noise, and efficient gear reduction system that might be an acceptable solution to your conveyor or continuous motion application.