Technical Article

Electric Motor Sizing and Selection Explained

November 15, 2022 by Simon Mugo

The article guides electrical engineers on electric motor sizing and selection to satisfy their power system requirements.

For an electric power system to work well, the secret lies in the proper sizing and selection of important components.  Sizing and properly selecting an electric motor goes a long way to improve reliability and performance while making equipment cost-effective. This article will guide you through selecting and sizing an electric motor.

 

Determining the Motor Drive Mechanism

The first step is determining the motor drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a belt drive, shaft, direct rotation, pulley, ball screw or rack, and pinion.

While determining the drive mechanism, also decide the dimensions, which are important for motor sizing:

  • Load dimensions and mass
  • Each part’s dimension and mass
  • Coefficient of friction of each moving part sliding surface

The next step is determining the motor’s parameters and specifications, including:

  • Operating time and speed
  • Positioning distance and time
  • Resolution
  • Stopping accuracy
  • Voltage and power supply
  • Position holding
  • Environment of operation
  • Specific requirements and features like closed loop, open loop, feedback, programmable, agent approval, and IP rating

To determine motor performance, establish the following three factors: 

  • Motor speed
  • Motor torque
  • Moment of inertia

Once the above three factors are calculated, the motor will be selected depending on the values obtained for speed, inertia, and torque. A range of of motors exists to choose from, such as servo, AC, stepper, and brushless motors.

 

Sizing the Motor: Calculations

For successful motor sizing, three important factors must be determined: torque, inertia, and speed.

 

Determining the Moment of Inertia

Moment of inertia is the measure of any given object’s resistance to its rotation rate changes. An object at rest has a zero moment of inertia.

Trying to move an object focuses on changing its speed from point zero to any level. This is accompanied by the change in the moment of inertia.

 

The Fundamental Equation of Inertia(J)

 

Figure 1. Fundamental equation of inertia diagram. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

\[J=\smallint\smallint\smallint \rho(x,y,z)(x^{2}+y^{2})dxdydz\]

 

Rotating Object Moment of Inertia Calculation

J = mL2

Where

m = mass

L = The distance between the center of rotation and the center of gravity.

 

Figure 2. Diagram for rotating object moment of inertia calculation. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

Calculating the Cylinder’s Moment of Inertia

 

Figure 3. Solid cylinder. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

From Figure 3, the formula for calculating the moment of inertia for the solid cylinder can be derived as:

\[J_{x}=\frac{1}{8}mD_{1}^{\,\,\,2}=\frac{\pi}{32}\rho LD_{1}^{\,\,\,4}\]

And 

\[J_{y}=\frac{1}{4}m(\frac{D_{1}^{\,\,\,2}}{4}+\frac{L^{2}}{3})\]

Where

Jx= inertia along x - axis

Jy = Inertia along y - axis

m = mass of the cylinder

D1 = The Cylinder Outer Diameter

ρ = Density of the Cylinder

L = Height of the Cylinder

Calculating the Hollow Cylinder Moment of Inertia

 

Figure 4. Hollow cylinder. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

From Figure 4, the formula for calculating the moment of inertia for the hollow cylinder which leads to the leading nations can be derived as:

\[J_{x}=\frac{1}{8}m\Big(D_{1}^{\,\,\,2}-D_{2}^{\,\,\,2}\Big)=\frac{\pi}{32}\rho L(D_{1}^{\,\,\,2}-D_{2}^{\,\,\,4})\]

And

\[J_{y}=\frac{1}{4}m(\frac{D_{1}^{\,\,\,2}-D_{2}^{\,\,\,2}}{4}+\frac{L^{2}}{3})\]

Where

Jx = inertia along x - axis

Jy = Inertia along y - axis

m = mass of the Hollow cylinder

D1 = The Hollow Cylinder Outer Diameter

D2 = The Hollow Cylinder inner diameter

ρ = Density of the Hollow Cylinder

L = Height of the Hollow Cylinder

 

An Off-Center Axis Moment of Inertia Calculation

 

 

Figure 5. Off-Centre Axis Moment of Inertia

 

The following equations are necessary for calculating the off-center moment of inertia:

\[J_{x}=J_{x_{0}}+ml^{2}=\frac{1}{12}m(A^{2}+B^{2}+12l^{2})\]

Where

Jx = inertia along x - axis

Jy = Inertia along y - axis

J\(_{x_{0}}\) = Inertia along x0 - axis passing through the centre of gravity

m = mass

A = Width

B = Length

C = Height

ρ = Density

l = Distance between x and x0

 

Rectangular Pillar Moment of Inertia Calculation

 

Figure 6. Rectangular pillar. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

The formula below will help solve the moment of inertia for the rectangular pillar above in Figure 6:

\[J_{x}=\frac{1}{12}m\Big(A^{2}+B^{2}\Big)=\frac{1}{12}\rho ABC\Big(A^{2}+B^{2}\Big)\]

And

\[J_{y}=\frac{1}{12}m\Big(C^{2}+B^{2}\Big)=\frac{1}{12}\rho ABC\Big(C^{2}+B^{2}\Big)\]

Where

Jx = inertia along x - axis

Jy = Inertia along y - axis

m = mass

A = Width

B = Length

C = Height

ρ = Density

 

Object in Linear Motion Moment of Inertia Calculation

\[J=m(\frac{A}{2\pi})^{2}\]

Where

A = Units of Moment

m = mass

 

Moment of Inertia Units of Measure

The units of inertia can be used in two ways: oz-in-sec2 and oz-in2. The former has an inclusion of mass while the latter involves gravity only.

Theoretically, the moment of inertia is a factor of mass only but, practically, inertia is affected by gravity; hence, one cannot ignore the effect of the earth’s gravity.

Gravity = 386 in/sec2

To convert oz-in2 to oz-in-sec2 take:

\[\frac{oz-in^{2}}{386\,in/sec^{2}}=oz-in-sec^{2}\]

 

Determining the Torque Required

Torque is the ability of a force exerted on an object to make the object rotate. Torque is a combination of two elements: acceleration and load elements. Load torque is caused by friction. Acceleration torque is available only when the motor is in rotation. When the motor is running at a constant speed, the component disappears.

 

Load Torque (T)

Torque is a product of force and the distance between this force and the center of rotation.

\[T=Fr=\frac{FD}{2}\]

 

Figure 7. Load torque diagram. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

Actual Measurement of the Load Torque

The most accurate force is obtained by measuring, since it improves efficiency and gives an accurate coefficient of friction.

FB = Force at the start of rotation of the main shaft:

\[T_{L}=\frac{F_{B}D}{2}\]

Where

 D = Pulley final diameter and g = acceleration due to gravity

Force

Three types of force need to be determined: vertical, inclined, and horizontal.

Calculating Vertical Force

 

Figure 8. Vertical force. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

F = W = mg

 

Calculating Horizontal Force

 

Figure 9. Horizontal force. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

F = μW

 

Calculating Inclined Force

 

Figure 10. Inclined force. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo

 

F = FA + mg(sinα + μ cosα)

Where

F = Moving direction force

μ = Friction coefficient of the sliding surface

g = gravity

m = mass of the table and load

FA = External Force

 

Ball Screw Driver Load Torque Calculation

\[T_{L}=(\frac{FP_{B}}{2\pi\eta}+\frac{\mu_{0}F_{0}P_{B}}{2\pi})\frac{1}{i}\]

\[F=F_{A}+mg(sin\theta+\mu cos\theta)\]

Where PB is the ball screw lead.

 

Pulley Drive Load Torque Calculation 

\[T_{L}=\frac{(\mu F_{A}+mg)D}{2i}\]

 

Torque Calculation Equations for Belt or Wire Drive

 

\[T_{L}=\frac{F}{2\pi\eta}\times\frac{\pi D}{i}=\frac{FD}{2\eta i}\]

\[F=F_{A}+mg(sin\theta+\mu cos\theta)\]

Where

 i = gear ratio

 

Acceleration Torque

Acceleration torque is made up of acceleration rate and inertia. By knowing the two values, acceleration torque can be calculated.

 

Ta = JA

Where

Ta = Acceleration torque

A = Acceleration Rate

J = Inertia

 

Speed

The speed of any particle is determined by measuring the distance it travels and dividing it by the time it takes to cover the distance.

For the stepper and servo motors, accounting for acceleration time is a must.

\[Speed=\frac{Distance}{Time}\]

Featured image used courtesy of Adobe Stock