When we want to move something in a project, we often use a motor. There are many different types of motors, each with their own characteristics and use cases. In this section we will fist discuss the different types of motors and then go into more detail about the motors we have available in the lab.
Types of motors
We can split motors into 4 main categories: DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors and brushless motors.
They all have some similarities but should be used in different situations.
DC motors
DC motors are the most common type of motor. They are simple to use and can be controlled with a simple transistor or motor driver. They are often used to drive wheels or spin fans. They are not very precise and can be hard to control at low speeds.
Do's
- Needs to move something fast
- Needs to move something just back and front
- Needs to make something spin or vibrate
Don'ts
- Needs precise control
- Needs to move in small steps
- Needs to move to a specific position
Servo motors
Servo motors are a type of motor that can move to a specific position. They are often used in RC cars and planes. They are easy to control and can be very precise. They use a dc motor, gearbox and a potentiometer to move to a specific position. They can be fast but can be limited in their range of motion. Most servos can only move 180 degrees, but there are also servos that can move 360 degrees but are less reliable to always move back the same position.
Do's
- Needs to move to a specific position
- Needs to move in limited range of motion
- Needs to move with a lot of torque
- Needs to be light weight
- Needs to be easy to control
Don'ts
- Needs to move something very fast
- (Not all servos) Needs to move 360 degrees
Stepper motors
Stepper motors are a type of motor that can move in very small steps and are not limited a range of motion. They are often used in 3D printers and CNC machines. They are more complex to control since they need specific drivers. They can be mm perfect in their movement but do not expect them to be fast. Steppers work by moving a metal rod in small steps inside lots of tiny magentic fields. Making it very precise but also very slow.
Do's
- Needs to move in small steps
- Needs to move to a specific position reliably
- Needs to move with a lot of torque
- Needs to spin 360 degrees
Don'ts
- Needs to move something fast
- Needs to be light weight
Brushless motors
Brushless motors are a type of motor that is often used in drones and other applications where you need a lot of power and control. They are more complex to control than DC motors because they actually are 3 “motors” in one. They are often used in applications where you need to move something very fast and very precise in speed. We do not aspect you to use these motors in your project, but if you want to use them show that you understand what the differences are and why you must choose this motor.
Do's
- When somthing needs to fly
- Needs to move something very fast like a flywheel
Don'ts
- Needs to move in small steps
- Needs to move to a specific position
- Needs to be fixed in a specific position
Motors in the lab
In the lab we have a few different types of motors available. Whilst there are many more types you could order online we have chosen this list to give you a good starting point and provide framework for you to work around.
DC motors
Servo motors
Stepper motors
Brushless motors
We do not have any brushless motors in the lab. If you need to use them discuss with your teacher.