Motor for aerospace Compact drives for demanding systems

Every additional kilogram affects payload, energy demand, and overall efficiency in an aerospace system. Especially in UAVs, robotic arms, and mobile space systems, the mass of a motor has a direct impact on range, agility, and upstream structures. Frameless motor support lightweight designs because the stator and rotor are integrated directly into the system. As a result, existing housing, shaft, and bearing structures can take on additional functions of the motor.

Aerospace systems must often operate reliably over long periods of time. During operation, maintenance is sometimes only possible to a limited extent - or not at all. Brushless frameless motors have no mechanically commutated brushes and can, depending on the drive concept, be designed with only a few wear-prone transmission elements. However, the service life of the entire drive system depends on bearings, gearboxes, lubrication, temperature, load profile, and environmental conditions. These factors must therefore be considered in conjunction with the motor.

In aircraft, rovers, robotic arms, and adjustment units, installation space is usually limited. At the same time, high forces, holding torques, or dynamic load peaks must be handled. High torque density enables powerful drives with compact dimensions and low weight. This is particularly relevant when multiple motors are used in a system or when the weight of moving axes must remain as low as possible.

Rovers move across difficult terrain and must operate reliably over long periods of time. Depending on the mission, electric drives are used for chassis systems, steering, instruments, sampling, or manipulators.

In addition to low weight and high torque density, robust mechanical integration, high overload capacity, and a suitable thermal concept are important. At low speeds and high loads, high holding torques can also occur.

Depending on precision requirements, thermal environment, and production volume, ILM or ILM-E motors may be considered. The frameless design enables direct integration into wheel, steering, or joint structures and thereby supports compact drive units.

Robotic arms take on inspection, handling, assembly, or maintenance tasks. In spaceflight, they must often move heavy loads precisely while being built as lightweight as possible.

In addition to high torque density, low inertia, precise controllability, and reliable holding torque are crucial. A large hollow shaft can enable internal routing of cables, data lines, or media and supports a protected joint design.

For particularly demanding, thermally stressed, or custom-designed systems, the ILM series is often recommended. Depending on batch size and requirement profile, the ILM-E series can also be used.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are particularly sensitive to weight and energy consumption. Electric motors can be used in applications such as payload systems, for example, in payload systems, camera platforms, sensor axes, adjustment units, or other auxiliary drives.

In addition to low weight, high dynamics, compact dimensions, and efficient operation are relevant. The motor must execute movements precisely while keeping the energy consumption of the entire system as low as possible.

For scalable UAV applications, the ILM-E series can be particularly interesting thanks to its lightweight design, standard integrated sensor technology, and cost-optimized manufacturing. For highly precise optical or custom-designed systems, the ILM series is often the preferred option.

Electric drives can be used in aircraft to adjust flaps, air ducts, covers, or other moving components. These applications require high reliability and precise coordination with loads, travel paths, and operating points.

In addition to high torque density and service life, overload capacity, holding torque, and thermal design are important. Depending on the safety concept, brakes, redundant sensors, or mechanical securing elements may also be required.

ILM and ILM-E motors can be combined with different gearbox concepts or used as a direct drive when the load profile is suitable. The specific architecture must be designed based on the complete operating and safety profile.

Electric adjustment units for seats, backrests, or other cabin components must operate compactly, quietly, and reliably. In aircraft, low weight and space-saving integration also play an important role.

Frameless motors make it possible to integrate the drive directly into the mechanical structure of the adjustment unit. This allows the motor, gearbox, bearings, and sensors to be specifically adapted to the available installation space.

For mass-produced adjustment units and higher production volumes, the ILM-E series can represent an economical solution. The selection depends, among other things, on torque, speed, noise behavior, duty cycle, and safety requirements.

Laser communication systems transmit data via precisely aligned optical links. The mirrors, optics, or tracking units used for this must be positioned with very high precision and uniformity.

In addition to maximum precision, low tracking error, low cogging, high control quality, and thermal stability are crucial. Even small vibrations or positional deviations can affect the alignment of the optical signal.

The large hollow shaft of a frameless motor can make it easier to route optics, cables, or sensor lines. For particularly precise tracking and slewing axes, the ILM series is primarily suitable.