A Connecticut injection molder has helped commercialize a plastic, brushless motor. Seitz Corp., based in Torrington, Conn., formed a strategic alliance with Wellington Electric Co. Inc. to produce the motor. Wellington moved its operations from New Zealand, where the product was developed and patented worldwide, to offices in the Seitz facility.
The new motor's stator is molded from DuPont Rynite FR530, and the rotor is molded of various other plastics. The plastic parts mean the motor can be made nearly 50 percent faster than metal versions, according to John Austin, Wellington's president.
The plastic motors are compact, lightweight, weatherproof and 80-90 percent efficient, he said. In a typical ceiling fan, savings of 100-140 watts of energy is common, he said. The motor also runs more coolly and more quietly than other motors because there are no brushes.
Its speeds are controllable from 1-25,000 rotations per minute, and the motor can be used for air-moving, mechanical and pump applications.
One unique feature is the motor's rotor, which can become part of the component being driven. For example, an automotive fan blade actually can become the rotor of the motor using inserted magnets, Austin said. The stator also is integrated into that housing, reducing assembly time.
Seitz spokeswoman Sharon LeGault said the firm makes precision parts, including plastic drives, gears and pulleys. Seitz has 32 injection presses with clamping forces of 40-400 tons, and performs custom molding.
Austin said he expects that as demand for the all-plastic motor grows, he will seek other manufacturing alliances throughout the United States.