Custom or bespoke electric motors

MACCON offers a wide range of electric motors. These products or slightly modified versions thereof allow the implementation of many standard or unusual applications. However it is very common that the customer requires products from us, which are not available as standard products from the marketplace. Typically we are asked for special characteristics, such as:

  • Dimensions
  • Improved performance
  • Supply conditions
  • Special environmental conformance
  • Mechanical and electrical interfaces
  • Integration of several components in a new configuration or product
  • Additional functionality
  • Higher reliability or redundancy

For such cases, we offer customised motors, also called bespoke motors or project-specific motors. The most important custom motor categories are:

Click on the corresponding menu item on the right-hand side for more information.

MACCON space-rated BLDC motor
MACCON space-rated BLDC motor
Outer rotor motor designed and built by MACCON for a machine-tool application.
Outer rotor motor designed and built by MACCON for a machine-tool application.

Typical applications for our custom motors

Our custom motors are used for a wide variety of applications, such as:

  • Electromechanical actuators
  • Aviation
  • Space
  • Automotive
  • Defense
  • Machines and processes
  • Power generation (e.g. generators or actuators for wind turbine blade adjustment)
  • Science and astronomy
Outer-rotor motor designed and built by MACCON for an automotive application.
Outer-rotor motor designed and built by MACCON for an automotive application.

Comparison of different electric motor technologies

TechnologyCostTorque
density
(Nm/m3)		Power
density
(W/m3)		Torque
ripple/cogging		Special
Electronics
Needed?
PMSM-SPMNo
PMSM-IPMNo
PMSM-IronlessNo
Switched ReluctanceYes
Synchronous ReluctanceNo
AsynchronousNo
Hybrid-StepperNo

Glossary

In this section, we explain the acronyms used in the above comparison table. For more technical details, please consult our "MACCON Motors FAQ", which can be found at this Link.

PMSM                Permanent magnet synchronous motor

PMSM-SPM       PMSM Surface Permanent Magnet

PMSM-IPM         PMSM Interior Permanent Magnet

For explanations of reluctance (switched and synchronous), asynchronous and hybrid-stepper motor technologies, please consult our "MACCON Motors FAQ", which can be found at this Link.

Selecting a motor technology for your application usually involves looking at not only technical aspects, but also at the cost side of things. Please contact us, to discuss your specification with an experienced motor design engineer.

Typical project plan for designing and building a bespoke or custom motor

Many customers ask us about the project duration to design and build a custom motor. Depending on the complexity, such a project usually takes about 6-9 months. You can see the individual steps of such a project in the table below. Please contact us, to discuss your technical requirements.

Typischer Projektplan für den Entwurf und Bau eines elektrischen Sondermotors.
Typischer Projektplan für den Entwurf und Bau eines elektrischen Sondermotors.

Lightweight motors for aviation applications

In aviation applications, the weight of the motor is critical. MACCON has specialised in designing lightweight motors for such cases. One typical example: a frameless motor weighing about 4.5kg produces a shaft power of about 13kW, running at about 3,500rpm and producing about 35Nm of torque. This particular motor takes advantage of forced-air cooling to maximise the power density of the motor. The motor reaches an efficiency (mechanical power divided by electrical power) of about 95%.

Please contact us, to discuss your specification with an experienced motor design engineer!