Should You Use a Brushless Motor for Your Robot?

1. Should You Use a Brushless Motor for Your Robot? The brushless motor is slowly but surely gaining market share over its brushed motor counterpart. Costs are getting slashed which in turn makes it more reasonable to switch from brushed to brushless. However, this is not yet the case. Brushed motors are still cheaper, and they will be for some time to come. The primary differences between a brushed motor and a brushless motor are the following two: 1.A brushless motor is more efficient and doesn’t rely on brush friction, a mechanism notably rough on a motor’s lifespan. 2.Brushless motors require a more advanced method of control, such as a motor controller. There are some considerations you should keep in mind when deciding which type of motor is right for you. Cost is not the only component to worry about. Excessive Use

2. Do you expect to use your robot frequently and for significant periods of time? If so, a brushless motor is likely the better option. The increased efficiency is a boon, but the reduced maintenance will be the real breadwinner in this equation. Brushed motors can and will wear out due to the friction from the brushes. With a brushless motor… you don’t have that issue. Dynamic Speed Controls You can use a speed controller with a brushed motor, but you run into issues after a while. The process of alternating different speeds and torques can be harsh on the motor because of the brushes. If you suspect you’ll need to change the speed of your robot regularly through the use of a speed controller, you may want to use a brushless motor instead. The lack of brushes will help alleviate any concerns with sudden changes in speed and intensity. Better Heat Management As you might expect, using a brushed motor comes with a key disadvantage: the friction and reduced efficiency means that more heat is generated. This can prove catastrophic to your parts if you don’t have built-in protections and heat sensors. But more to the point, a runaway heat issue can make or break your on-demand tinkering with the robot. If you have to toss it around like a hot potato or get a compressed air can all the time, you’ll get tired of the fun quickly. Brushless Motors Are “Smarter” It sounds weird to say that out loud, right? How can a motor be smart? Another difference between brushed and brushless is that brushed motors don’t need anything special to go. They take direct energy at a constant rate and that’s the skinny of it. You can intervene and get around that issue with technology, but for the most part it’s a lot easier to gain precision control over a brushless motor because it outright requires the use of a speed controller or an all-encompassing motor controller. While this may not be hugely important for many robotics projects, you’ll find this natural compatibility a benefit if you’re building a robot that needs that kind of precision. If you need the ability to slow down, reduce intensity, speed up, and put more oomph in the motor, you’ll want a motor that is suited for that task out the gate.