Sumitomo Electric Industries has developed a powder magnetic core for axial gap motors, which help create thin and high-performance motors, in terms of output and efficiency. The company started mass production and delivery of the product in August 2020.
With recent growing demand for light and high-performance motors, axial gap motors are attracting more attentions due to their light weight, low thickness and high power density, which have been achieved by adapting completely different structure from conventional motors (radial gap motors). In order to produce axial gap motors, high-quality magnetic cores that suit their three-dimensional magnetic circuits are indispensable.
By using its own unique powder metallurgy technology, Sumitomo Electric has developed a powder magnetic core that helps to realise high-performance axial gap motors. In addition, the Company has newly developed an insulation coating technology to ensure the dielectric strength between the powder magnetic core and the copper winding, and has started the mass production and delivery of the insulation-coated powder magnetic core as an ideal component for axial gap motors.
In the future, Sumitomo Electric will continue to develop the market for powder magnetic cores for axial gap motors and contribute to the development of higher performance axial gap motors and equipment.
Powder Magnetic Core
A powder magnetic core is formed by die-pressing soft magnetic iron powder into a three-dimensional shape. Compared to magnetic cores made of electrical steel sheets used in conventional radial gap motors, it has great flexibility in terms of shape design and superior high-frequency characteristics, and has been put into practical use in various fields, such as automobile applications.
When using a powder magnetic core for a motor, it is usually required to provide an additional component to ensure the dielectric strength between the magnetic core and the copper winding. However, our unique insulation coating technology has made it possible to wind copper wire directly around the powder magnetic core and thereby reduce costs for additional components and assembly. This feature has also made it possible to expand the winding space, which contributes to the development of more compact and efficient motors.
In addition, the Company provides assistance for three-dimensional electromagnetic field analysis of axial gap motors based on motor specifications provided by customers so that they can realize the advantages of the powder magnetic core for axial gap motors.
