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PCB Stator Technology

Disruptive PCB Stator Technology for Global Electrification
ECM's PCB motor

Cutting Edge
Printed Circuit Board Stators

Innovative PCB Stator technology eliminates the need for copper windings used in conventional machines, creating a new type of axial flux electric motor for the next 100 years of electrification.

ECM's PCB Stator Motor

ECM’s printed circuit board stator replaces the copper windings found in conventional electric machines with an ultra-thin stator completely encapsulated in FR4 printed circuit board material.

PCB Stators optimize copper geometries and winding patterns, delivering superior efficiency at a reduced environmental impact.

 

ECM's motor deconstructed
Induction and BLDC motor next to ECM's PCB Stator Motor

Superior Machines
in a Smaller Package

PCB Stator motors require significantly less raw materials compared to other motor types and having an axial flux form factor, allows PCB Stator motors to be up to 70% lighter than traditional machines while only being a fraction of their axial length – delivering more power in a smaller package.

ECM's motor

PCB Stator Advantages

ECM’s patented stator design and PrintStator software can offer many advantages to the electric motor industry, enabling you to beat out fierce competition in existing verticals while giving you access to new markets.

Sustainable Solutions
for a Greener Future

ECM’s sustainable motors reduce energy waste and require fewer raw materials for lower environmental impact.

PCB Stators only need 20% of the copper found in comparable motors and the PrintStator software designs machines with efficiencies in excess of 90%

Energy Efficient Motors with PCB Stators

750W

91% Efficiency

7.1” Motor Diameter 1.3” Motor Length
Energy Efficient Motors with PCB Stator

2.2kW

92% Efficiency

12.8” Motor Diameter 3.4” Motor Length
Energy Efficient Motors with PCB Stator

4.5kW

93% Efficiency

14.5” Motor Diameter 4.2” Motor Length

PCB Stator Technology: Advanced Solutions for Critical Applications

Acoustically and Electromagnetically Quiet
Acoustically and Electromagnetically Quiet
Ultra-Precise Motion - No cogging
Ultra-Precise Motion - No cogging
Tough Against Extreme Environments
Tough Against Extreme Environments
Lightweight, High Performance Motor Systems
Lightweight, High Performance Motor Systems

A Look at Electric Motors Over Time

1832
The first DC electric motor

The first DC electric motor capable of moving machinery is invented by British scientist William Sturgeon. His design is later adapted by Thomas Davenport, leading to the first DC motor patent.

1886
First practical DC motor

Following a period of rapid improvements to motor technology, the first practical DC motor is invented by Frank Julian Sprague. His design is capable of maintaining a relatively constant speed, while completely eliminating sparking.

1921
Air Gap added

A significant increase in electric motor efficiencies and reliability is achieved by adding an air gap between the motor stator and rotor.

1962
The first brushless DC motor

The invention of the first brushless DC motors increases electric motor reliability and performance by replacing the physical “brush” commutators with electronic commutators made possible by the development of solid state electronics.

1982
Integration of magnets

The widespread integration of permanent magnets into brushless DC motors is made possible by the greater availability of rare earth metals, increasing their power output significantly.

1986
Motor with a stator on printed circuit assembly

Jerry Genco and Norman Smith patent a motor with a stator on printed circuit assembly, reducing manufacturing and material costs for permanent magnet BLDC motors. Their design both electrically and mechanically connects the stator to a printed circuit board via the circuit components and contact terminals.

2015
PrintStator is launched

ECM’s advanced modeling software PrintStator is launched and utilized to prototype a mid-drive solution for an electric bike. From discrete inputs, PrintStator automatically generates associated Gerber and drawing files for the 6” stator, sent to a local PCB house for printing.

2016
ECM files patents

ECM files three patents: (1) addressing thermal management in PCB stators; (2) addressing winding losses via unique methods, geometries and structures in PCB stators; (3) specific to apparatus and method for forming a magnet assembly.

2017
PrintStator produces “stacked stator” designs

PrintStator successfully produces “stacked stator” designs, allowing higher operating voltages. ECM acquires 625 patent rights, is granted 3 patents and files 2 additional patents.

2018
PrintStator incorporates CAM sub-routines

PrintStator successfully incorporates CAM sub-routines to seamlessly translate optimized motor design geometry to G-code utilized by CNC machine tools that manufacture component parts, improving overall quality and nearly eliminating operator error.

2019
ECM brings patent total to 10

ECM is granted an additional 3 patents related to PrintStator, granting ECM a total of 10 patents. PrintStator has been used to successfully integrate motors in the e-mobility, HVACR, robotics, maritime and medical industries.

2020
ECM implements "Design Your Own" stator

ECM continues to commercialize PCB stator technology, using the PrintStator software to develop optimized PCB stator solutions for many diverse applications. A Design Your Own page is added to the ECM website allowing innovators from many industries to use PrintStator and develop their own custom PCB stator motor. ECM continues to diversify its application portfolio, prototyping PCB stator solutions for consumer appliances, fitness equipment, aerospace, HVACR, precision motion, renewable energy, e-mobility and robotics applications.

2021
ECM prepares to launch PrintStator software

Now totaling almost 100 unique prototypes already developed, ECM continues making strategic partnerships with manufacturers, product developers, and innovators in many industries. Stacked motors and segmented stators are some of the features added to PCB stator’s design flexibility. PrintStator designs now range from silver dollar-sized motors up to 24 inches in diameter. ECM’s software development team prepares to launch its PrintStator software package to its customers.

2023
Large scale commercialization

PrintStator BETA trials is launched, four ECM motors are in the process of being outfitted for large scale commercialization, close to 15M motors/yr are slotted for production via ECM’s PrintStator platform.

ECM's PCB motor

Customized Designs

Specialized solutions with exact operating parameters.

Commercial Applications

Innovative applications powered by ECM’s PCB Stator technology.

ECM's PCB Stator