Automotive Small Motors Find Niche Industrial Applications

DN Staff

December 4, 2009

2 Min Read
Automotive Small Motors Find Niche Industrial Applications

Today, motors originally built for automobiles andcommercial vehicles as drives for wiping systems, engine cooling, passengercompartment air-conditioning and for the adjustment of windows, sliding roofsand seats, are gaining design wins in industrial applications. Manufactured withhigh reliability, these motors have been developed using top quality materialsand provide the highest performance with efficient operation. Aided by lowmanufacturing costs and easy design in potential, many engineers have begun to deploythese proven, fully tooled motors in an ever expanding universe of industrialapplications.

For manufacturers, these motors provide a capability thatallows engineering imagination the freedom to design higher functionality intoa host of existing and new industrial applications. Moreover, a manufacturer withrelatively limited engineering resources can gain the depth and breadth ofengineering expertise from the manufacturer that originally produced the motor fordemanding automotive applications. The resulting combination of engineering knowledgeenables the independent manufacturer to exploit its existing niche applicationswith technologically advanced products, while relying on the supplier'sengineering expertise for technical support. One added benefit: afterpartnering with a global motor supplier that already enjoys an establishedreputation for high quality, the manufacturers new product carries a built instamp of quality that helps penetrate global markets.

In the global marketplace, DC motors are winning moredesigns in linear actuators, ergonomic equipment, building automation and inmedical, and dental applications. Outside the United States,emerging and established markets are turning to the DC motors in niche andlight industrial applications to take advantage of their flexible designsolutions. In Brazil and Europe, DC motors are commonly designed into medical anddental applications, such as dental chairs and adjustable hospital beds, which mayhave relied on hydraulic systems in the past.

Any manufacturer seeking diversification of product lineupswill naturally consider expanding existing offerings to incorporate innovativedesigns with these DC motors. However, manufacturing operations benefit by partneringwith an established motor supplier to gain engineering expertise in productdevelopment, plus a global reputation for quality and reliability. Armed withthese key identifiable characteristics, the manufacturer may extend its reachinto new markets with superior products specifically developed to exploitselect niche applications.

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