11.10.22
The ECM team travels to San Francisco to present our technology at TechCrunch Disrupt - a flagship event for emerging technologies.
ECM's PCB STATOR MOTOR
ECM’s printed circuit board stator replaces the copper windings found in other 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.
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.
Advanced Solutions for Critical Applications
Acoustically and Electromagnetically Quiet
Ultra-Precise
Motion
- No cogging
Tough Against Extreme Environments
Lightweight, High Perfromance Motor Systems
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 up to 96%.
- 1HP - 91% Efficiency
- 7.1” Motor Diameter
- 1.3” Motor Length
- 2.2kW - 92% Efficiency
- 12.8” Motor Diameter
- 3.4” Motor Length
- 4.5kW - 93% Efficiency
- 14.5” Motor Diameter
- 4.2” Motor Length
A LOOK AT ELECTRIC MOTORS OVER TIME
-
1832
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
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
A significant increase in electric motor efficiencies and reliability is achieved by adding an air gap between the motor stator and rotor.
-
1962
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
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
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
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 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 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 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 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 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
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.
-
1832
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
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
A significant increase in electric motor efficiencies and reliability is achieved by adding an air gap between the motor stator and rotor.
-
1962
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
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
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
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 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 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 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 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 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
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.