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Column|An Explanation of Micromotor Technology
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In this column, engineers from C.I. Takiron. share their expert knowledge on micromotors (coreless motors, brushless motors, and gearheads). We hope you find this information useful when selecting motors for a wide range of applications, including medical devices, industrial tools, and optical equipment.

This guide provides a detailed explanation of the technical considerations for motor selection, aimed at product development engineers and design professionals. It addresses common questions such as, “I don’t know which motor to choose,” and “I want to understand the difference between coreless and brushless motors.”

  • Coreless Motors: Cogging-Free and High-Response Characteristics, and Application Examples in the Medical and Optical Fields
  • Brushless Motors: How They Achieve Long Life and High Efficiency, and How They Differ from Brushed Motors
  • Gearheads: Principles of Reduction Ratios and Torque Multiplication, and Their Application in Industrial Equipment
2026/10/05
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNER-ROTOR AND OUTER-ROTOR MOTORS? AN EXPLANATION OF THEIR FEATURES, APPLICATIONS, AND HOW TO CHOOSE THEM

Brushless motors are classified into inner-rotor and outer-rotor types based on the rotor’s position. Since structural differences affect torque, responsiveness, rotational stability, and heat dissipation, selecting a type that doesn’t match the application may prevent the motor from delivering the desired performance.   When performing motor selection, it is important to understand the characteristics of each type and compare them based on required speed, torque, installation space, and other factors. In this article, we’ll provide a clear explanation of the structural and performance differences between inner-rotor and outer-rotor motors, their pros and cons, main applications, and how to choose the right one.   Supervised by: C.I. TAKIRON Corporation Electronic Devices Sales Group This article has been supervised based on the…

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2026/10/05
WHAT IS A HOLLOW MOTOR? EXPLAINING THE BENEFITS, APPLICATIONS, AND MOTOR SELECTION CRITERIA FOR HOLLOW STRUCTURES

A hollow motor is a motor with a through-hole in the center of its rotating shaft. Since cables, piping, shafts, and other components can be routed through the hollow section, it improves wiring and piping routing in confined spaces, leading to compact motors and greater design flexibility.   When performing motor selection, it is important to consider not only the hollow diameter but also the required torque, rotational speed, size, and other factors based on the equipment’s specifications. In this article, we provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the structure of hollow motors, their differences from standard motors, their benefits and precautions, main applications, and key points to check during the selection process.   Supervised by: C.I. TAKIRON Corporation Electronic Devices…

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2026/10/05
WHAT ARE BEARINGS? AN EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND GUIDE TO HOW THEY WORK, TYPES, HOW TO CHOOSE THEM, AND LIFESPAN

Bearings, used in motors and industrial machinery, are critical components that support rotating shafts while minimizing friction to ensure smooth operation. If the wrong type of bearing is selected or it is not chosen properly, vibration, heat generation, and wear can occur, potentially leading to reduced machine performance and a shorter lifespan.   There are various types of bearings, and there are numerous factors to consider, such as structure, load direction, and rotational speed. In this article, we’ll provide an easy-to-understand explanation of everything from the basic mechanisms and types of bearings to how to select them, how to assess their lifespan, and maintenance methods.   Supervised by: C.I. TAKIRON Corporation Electronic Devices Sales Group This article has been supervised…

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2026/10/02
WHAT ARE COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS? AN EXPLANATION RANGING FROM DIFFERENCES WITH INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS TO THEIR BENEFITS AND HOW TO CHOOSE THEM

In the manufacturing industry, against a backdrop of labor shortages and a decline in the number of skilled workers, there is a growing need to address labor-saving measures and automation. Among these solutions, “collaborative robots”—designed to work alongside humans in the same workspace—are attracting particular attention.   They are easy to integrate into existing processes while ensuring safety, and they help support high-mix, low-volume production and reduce the workload on workers. On the other hand, there are several key points to verify before implementation, such as speed, payload capacity, and safety measures.   In this article, we provide an easy-to-understand explanation of how collaborative robots work, how they differ from Industrial robots, their advantages and disadvantages, their main applications, and…

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2026/08/19
THE ROLE AND SELECTION OF CARBON BRUSHES FOR MOTORS | EXPLAINING LIFESPAN AND REPLACEMENT TIMING

Motor carbon brushes are components that transmit electric current through sliding contact with the commutator (or slip ring); in DC motors, they work in conjunction with the commutator to maintain rotation. They are used in a wide range of equipment, from industrial motors to power tools. If carbon brushes wear out or commutation becomes unstable, it can lead to sparking or damage to the commutator, making them critical from the perspective of maintenance and downtime risks. Carbon brush materials include electrographite, natural graphite, and metal graphite, among others, and selecting the appropriate material based on the application and operating conditions is essential. Understanding how to assess lifespan and replacement timing based on brush wear, as well as how to diagnose…

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2026/08/19
THREE CAUSES OF TORQUE RIPPLE AND HOW TO REDUCE IT

While a motor is rotating, the torque it outputs is not entirely constant. Instantaneous torque undergoes slight periodic fluctuations, manifesting as variations in rotational force. These periodic torque fluctuations are known as “torque ripple.” Significant torque ripple adversely affects equipment performance, leading to vibration, noise, reduced positioning accuracy, and degraded controllability.This is a technical challenge that cannot be ignored, particularly in fields where smooth operation and precision are directly linked to quality, such as medical equipment, optical equipment, and industrial robots. In this article, after clarifying the basic meaning of torque ripple and its difference from cogging torque, we will explain the main causes of its occurrence and methods for reducing it from the perspectives of design, control, and motor…

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2026/08/19
METHODS FOR CALCULATING MOTOR ROTATIONAL SPEED AND MOTOR CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES

The ability to accurately measure and control a motor’s rotational speed is critical, as it directly impacts equipment performance and stable operation (required specifications). “I want to know the formula for calculating rotational speed.” “I want to understand how voltage and torque affect rotational speed” “I want to explore methods for achieving precise speed control” To address these technical challenges, this article provides a technically grounded explanation—ranging from the basic calculation formula for DC motor rotational speed to the factors affecting rotational speed, how to interpret T-N characteristics (torque characteristics) and how to use PWM control and feedback control for practical speed control. We provide information that will be useful to engineers in fields where reducing speed fluctuations and maintaining…

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2026/07/08
AN EXPLANATION OF THE APPLICATIONS AND REQUIRED PERFORMANCE OF MOTORS FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

As medical equipment continues to become smaller and more precise, the role played by the motors that drive it is growing year by year. Compact motors are now incorporated into many devices used in medical settings—such as dental treatment units, endoscopes, electronic pipettes, and surgical assistance robots—and serve as core components that support the functionality and performance of these devices.Motors incorporated into medical equipment tend to be subject to higher performance standards than general-purpose industrial motors. To achieve the operational precision required by the equipment, it is essential to select the optimal motor for the specific application—one that offers smooth rotation, low vibration, a long service life, and a compact design. In this article, we will explain the typical applications…

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2026/07/08
WHAT IS AN INVERTER? A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FROM HOW THEY WORK TO MOTOR SELECTION

Inverters are power conversion devices used across a wide range of fields, from home appliances to Industrial equipment. They are recognized as a core technology supporting both daily life and industrial operations, enabling energy saving operation of air conditioners and refrigerators, motor control in factories, and smooth acceleration and deceleration in elevators. However, there are few opportunities to systematically understand the internal structure of these devices or how they interact with motors.In this article, we will explain everything step by step—from the basic definition and mechanism of inverters to their role in motor control, real-world application examples, and key points to keep in mind during implementation. We have organized the knowledge essential for design decisions for engineers involved in motor…

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2026/07/08
WHAT IS THE NUMBER OF POLES IN A MOTOR? ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RPM AND HOW TO CHOOSE ONE

The number of poles in a motor is a basic specification indicating the number of magnetic poles formed inside the motor, and it is a parameter that influences rotational speed and torque characteristics. In the design and procurement of Micromotors, questions often arise regarding whether to choose a 2-pole or 4-pole motor, and how an increase in the number of poles affects performance.The number of poles is not a value determined in isolation; rather, the optimal solution is determined by balancing speed, torque, size, cost, and the technical requirements of each specific application. In this article, we will systematically cover the basics of motor pole count, its relationship to speed, and the approach to motor selection based on application. The…

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