<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > Dialogs > Dialog: Servo-motor and Gearbox Sizing |
Note: The options for a Linear Motor with a Slide-Joint will become available in a later release.
Use the Kinetostatic Torque and Speed dialog to:
•Select a Planetary Gearbox from the major gearbox manufacturers
•Select a Servo-motor from the major manufactures
•Plot the Application Load Torque-Speed curve, in four quadrants
•Plot the Gearbox Load Torque-Speed curve, in four quadrants
•Plot the Servo-motor Torque and Speed curve; in four quadrants, find the Maximum and RMS Torque values
•Calculate the Duty-Cycle as a percentage of the machine-cycle
Note: Use this tool with one degree-of-freedom kinematic-chains. Email PSMotion if the kinematic-chain has two or more degrees-of-freedom, each with a servo-motor.
![]() | How to open the Kinetostatic-Torque and Speed dialog |
STEP 1: Enable: •Force toolbar > Force Vectors: Calculate •Force toolbar > Force Vectors: Display You must be able to see the Motor-Symbol at a joint STEP 2: Move the Power Source to the correct joint |
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STEP 3: Open the Kinetostatic Torque-Speed dialog: 1.Click the Motor Symbol The Pin-Joint shows in the Selection-Window. 2.Right-Click the Pin-Joint 3.Click Edit element in the shortcut menu. OR The Kinetostatic Torque-Speed dialog is now open. |
![]() FOUR QUADRANT: TORQUE(LOAD) vs SPEED |
Before you select a Gearbox or Servomotor, the plot is Torque vs Speed of the Application Load, in four-quadrants. The is the load that the Servo-motor and Gearbox must drive. It does NOT include the load to drive the inertia and friction of the Gearbox and Servo-motor. Four-Quadrant - Why 4 Quadrants?When inertia is the dominant load, we characterize the load for you as:
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Auto-Filter check-boxThe Auto-Filter check-box is at the top and right of the dialog. ❑ Auto-Filter OFF When Auto-Filter is off, you can select from 1000s of Gearboxes. ☑Auto-Filter ON We recommend that you enable the Auto-Filter. When Auto-Filer is enabled, the Gearboxes presented are limited to those that have a: •Lower-Torque Capacity that is greater than the Torque required to move the Application Load. •Upper-Torque Capacity that is determined by the Range-Factor. |
The Range-Factor is at the top of the dialog. ![]() |
Thus, the capacity of the Gearboxes that are listed for you are summarized by: Application-Load ≤ Gearbox Capacity ≤ Application-Load × Range-Factor Example: Auto-Filter ON, Range-Factor: 1.3 Lower Gearbox Torque Capacity = Equivalent Application (Load) Torque (21.495 N.m.) Upper Gearbox Torque Capacity = Range Factor × Equivalent Application (Load) Torque (1.3 × 21.495 = 27.944 N.m.) |
Select a Gearbox Manufacturer
There are four Gearbox manufacturers from which you can choose: APEX, Neugart, Vogel, and Wittenstein |
![]() Note: If you need us to list a different Gearbox Manufacturer, then please email us. |
Select a Gearbox Model
![]() Gearbox manufacturer and Gearbox model part numbers When you select a Gearbox Manufacturer, and Auto-Filter is ON, and you have entered a Range-Factor, the list of Gearboxes is limited to those whose capacity can satisfy these in-equalities: |
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T2max ≤ T2MAX ≤ RF × T2max Maximum Application (Load) Torque ≤ Maximum Output Torque of the Gearbox ≤ Range-Factor × Maximum Application (Load) Torque T2m ≤ T2N ≤ RF × T2m Equivalent Application (Load) Torque ≤ Rated Output Torque Capacity of the Gearbox ≤ Range-Factor × Equivalent Application (Load) Torque n2max× i ≤ n1MAX Maximum Application (Load) Speed × Gearbox Ratio (i) ≤ Maximum Input Speed of the Gearbox n2n × i ≤ n1N Average Application (Load) Speed (or Equivalent, Mean) × Gearbox Ratio (i) ≤ Rated Input Speed of the Gearbox |
![]() Gearbox Parameters Summary Sheet |
After you select a Gearbox model, its Gearbox Parameters Summary Sheet show. This form is read-only. On the left of the sheet, there should be four(4) ×
Notes: Speed parameters in brackets ( ) are referred to the output-shaft. They are calculated from the Gear-Ratio of the Gearbox. Other Parameters include: •Backlash •Stiffness •Efficiency •Shaft Diameter - the input shaft diameter, which is not in the list until you select a Servo-motor. •Inertia - referred to the input, which is not in the list until you select a Servo-motor. Note: Not all Gearbox manufacturers provide all of these parameters. |
![]() Torque-Speed plot at Output of Gearbox. |
When you select a Gearbox, the Torque (N.m.) vs Speed (RPM) plot changes to indicate whether the Gearbox has the capacity to drive the Application Load. The color code is : •Green : Torque AND Speed of the Load ≤ Rated Gearbox Capacity •Amber : Torque OR Speed of the Load ≥ Rated Gearbox Capacity ≤ Maximum Gearbox Capacity •Red : Torque OR Speed of the Load ≥ Maximum Gearbox Capacity |
![]() Torque-Speed at Gearbox at Output with Gearbox Limits |
Gearbox Torque and Speed Limits. The Show Gearbox Limits check-list box is located above the Gearbox selection box. ❑ Show Gearbox Limits enabled The axes are auto-scaled to the Maximum Torque and Speed, at the output of the Gearbox. ☑Show Gearbox Limits disabled The axes are auto-scaled to the Maximum Torque and Speed Capacity, referred to the output of the Gearbox. This helps you compare the Torque and Speed Capacity of the Gearbox with the Application Load. The Limits of Torque and Speed are shown as boxes. Before you select a servo-motor, the limit boxes and their color codes indicate the: •Dark Blue : Maximum Torque and Speed capacity of the Gearbox •Light-Blue : Rated (or Nominal) Torque and Speed capacity of the Gearbox •Light-Brown : Equivalent Torque and Speed of the Application Load |
Select a Servo-motor Manufacturer
There are many Servo-motor manufacturers from which to select. When you select a Servo-motor Manufacturer, we find for you those Servo-motors that have the Torque and Speed Capacity required by the Application Load. |
![]() Servo-motor manufacturers and Servo-motor part numbers Note: If you need us to list a different Servo-motor Manufacturer, then please email us. |
Select a Servo-motor Model![]() When you select a Servo-motor Manufacturer, and Auto-Filter is ON, and you have entered a Range-Factor, the list of Servo-motor is limited to those whose capacity can satisfy these in-equalities: |
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d1max≤ D ≤ d1min The Servo-motor Shaft Diameter, D, must fit directly into the Gearbox, d1. Note: Precision Planetary Gearboxes can accept a range of shaft diameters at their input. The Gearbox inertia, which is referred to its input, is different for each shaft diameter. Tmax ≤ Tmot max ≤ RF × Tmax Maximum Application Load Torque referred to the Gearbox input-shaft ≤ Maximum Servo-motor Torque Capacity ≤ Range-Factor × Maximum Application Load Torque referred to the Gearbox input shaft Tm≤ TN ≤ RF × Tm Equivalent Application (Load) Torque referred to the Gearbox input-shaft ≤ Rated Servo-motor Torque Capacity ≤ Range-Factor × Equivalent Application (Load) Torque referred to the Gearbox input shaft n1max ≤ Nmax Maximum Application Speed referred to the Gearbox input-shaft ≤ Maximum Servo-motor Speed n1N ≤ N1N Average Application Speed (or Equivalent, Mean) ≤ Rated Servo-motor Speed Pn ≤ Pr Application Power < Servo-motor Power Capacity |
![]() Servo-motor Parameters Summary Sheet |
When you select a servo-motor model, its Servo-motor Parameters Summary Sheet show. This form is read-only. To the left of the sheet, there should be five(5) × Peak Servo-motor Torque ≥ Maximum Application (Load) ÷ i Rated Servo-motor Torque ≥ Equivalent Application (Load) Torque ÷ i Max Servo-motor Speed ≥ Maximum Application (Load) Speed × i Continuous Servo-motor Speed ≥ Equivalent Application (Load) Speed × i Rated Power > Nominal Load Power. Other Parameters include: •Vdc - Bus Voltage for Drive •Jm - Servo-motor Inertia •D - Servo-motor shaft diameter. |
![]() Torque-Speed plot of Servo-motor |
When you select a Servo-motor, colors of the dots for the Torque (N.m.) vs Speed (RPM) plot changes to indicate whether the Servo-motor has the Capacity to drive the Application Load or not. The color code is : •Green : Torque AND Speed of the Load ≤ Rated Servo-motor Capacity •Amber : Torque OR Speed of the Load ≥ Rated Servo-motor Capacity ≤ Maximum Servo-motor Capacity •Red : Torque OR Speed of the Load ≥ Maximum Servo-motor Capacity |
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Motor Torque and Speed Limits. The Show Motor Limits check-list box is located above the Motor selection box. ❑ Show Motor Limits Enabled The axes are auto-scaled to the Maximum Torque and Speed, at the Servo-motor Drive Shaft. ☑Show Motor Limits Disabled The axes are auto-scaled to the Maximum Torque and Speed Capacity of the Selected Servo-motor This helps you compare the Torque and Speed Capacity of the Servo-motor with the Application Load referred to its input-shaft. The Limits of Torque and Speed are shown as boxes. • Purple : Maximum Torque and Speed capacity of the Servo-motor • Pink : Rated (or Nominal) Torque and Speed capacity of the Servo-motor •Light-Brown : Equivalent Torque and Speed of the Application Load |
The Torque we calculate for you when you Display Force Vectors is the torque to move the mechanism only. This is the Application Torque. The Application Torque does not include the Torque to move the motor and gearbox. It is necessary to add the Torque to accelerate the motor and the gearbox to the Torque in the graphic-area. Clearly, the Torque to move motor depends on the inertia of the motor and gearbox as well as the gearbox ratio. The higher the gear ratio, the less Application Torque the motor 'sees'. But the motor must run faster and accelerate more. This influences the overall power, as well as system efficiency. |
The performance characteristics of a brushless servo motor (motor/drive combination) are described by a torque/speed operating envelope. As shown below, the colored areas of the curve identify the Exceeded Duty, Continuous Duty, and Intermittent Duty working areas of the system. Exceeded Duty To maximum speed and/or the maximum torque, of the gearbox and/or Servo-motor must be exceeded. Usually, to make sure this cannot happen, there is a Current (amps) Limit on the Power Drive. Continuous Duty Zone (S1) The continuous duty zone is bounded by the maximum continuous stall torque up to the intersection with the intermittent duty line. The continuous torque line is set by either the motor’s maximum rated temperature, or the drive's rated continuous current output, whichever is less. The system maximum continuous or 'voltage line' is set by the voltage rating of the drives, the line voltage supplied, and the motor winding. The system can operate on a continuous basis anywhere within this area, assuming the ambient temperature is 40°C or less. Intermittent Duty Zone (S5) The intermittent duty zone is bordered by the peak-stall torque and the system voltage line. The peak torque line is set by either the drives’ peak current rating, which the drive can give for a limited time, or the maximum rated peak current for the motor, whichever is less. Higher torque levels may be achievable at higher power levels. |
![]() Typical Torque / Speed Duty Capability of a Brushless Servomotor. |
Peak Torque: (ԎPS ) The Peak Torque the Motor and Gearbox at Stall Speed Continuous Stall Torque: (ԎCS ). The Continuous Torque the Motor and Gearbox can give Continuously at Stall Speed. Maximum Speed: (ωMAX ) Maximum possible speed of the Motor and Gearbox. Not attainable when the voltage is limited by the drive. Knee Speed: (ωK ) The Speed at 'knee' in peak envelope that is the intersection of the Peak Torque with the Voltage Torque/Speed Limit Line. Continuous Rated Torque:(ԎCR ). The Continuous Torque at the Speed of the Rated Power. Rated Speed: (ωR ) The Rated Speed or Speed at Rated Power. The motor can operate at this speed with the supply voltage. |
The Reflected Inertia at the Motor shaft usually continuously changes in a machine-cycle. With Constant Inertia Mechanical Systems it is easy to calculate Inertia Torque. With mechanisms, the Torque is dependent on reflected inertia that is a function of Acceleration, Velocity, and Position. PSMotion has developed algorithms to calculate these, which give a true indication of the reflected inertia at a motor shaft for even the most complex mechanisms. The equations below, are calculated at every instant in a machine-cycle. Usually, you aim to make the Reflected Load Inertia = (Motor + Gearbox) Inertia. However, when the Load Inertia is not constant, it is more difficult to select the Motor and Gearbox. |
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Speed: ωm = N × ωL αm = N . αL Torque Tm = - αm (JG + JM) + sign(TVD) TL = (TMD ∕ N ) ∕ η TT = Tm + TL |
N = Gear Ratio ωm = Motor Angular Velocity ωL = Load Angular Velocity TT = Total Torque Tm = Motor Torque TL = Load referred to Motor Shaft TVD = Viscous 'Drag' Torque. It is always opposite to the direction of motion TMD = Torque derived by your model at the Motor Shaft ( f{PL , ωL, αL } ) JG = Inertia of Gearbox JM = Inertia of Motor αm = Motor Acceleration αL = Load Acceleration η = Gearbox Efficiency |