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The selection of the correct drive is an important element in the development of a system. In order to design the most optimal motor for your individual machine, amongst other things, the torque and speed must be defined. It pays to make an exact calculation. Both an over-sized or under-sized drive can result in additional costs. If an air motor is too large, the initial outlay and air consumption is higher than necessary. Whereas, in the worst-case scenario, a drive which is too small must be redesigned and replaced with a larger one.

The functional principle of an air vane motor is simple: An air vane motor consists of a rotor, which revolves in an eccentric cylinder. The vanes are pressed against the outside of the rotor wall by centrifugal force and build working chambers. The compressed air expands in these working chambers; pressure energy is converted into kinetic energy and the rotor turns.

The air motors are characterised by their speed adaptation feature, which adjusts automatically according to load variations. When load is removed the air motors run at idle speed. If low load is conflicted, when there is low torque on the motor spindle, the working speed approaches the idle speed. The working speed is reduced as soon as the torque increases. At 50 % of the idle speed the air motor achieves its maximum power. ”This is also the optimal working range of the air motor. In the range of 40-50 % of the idle speed the air motor works particularly energy-efficiently. This is a criterion which we consider carefully during motor design”, explains the DEPRAG Product Manager for air motors Dagmar Dübbelde.

If the theoretic calculation for the application is too complex, a practical test with an existing pneumatic motor, hydraulic or electric drive, grinding or drilling machine can be offered. If the technical data for the machine is not known this can be comprehensively determined using the innovative freely programmable performance test stand at DEPRAG. As well as the performance, the speed and torque, it is also possible to measure operating pressure and air consumption.

The performance test stand functions within a measurement range of up to 500 Nm and up to 12,000 rpm in four-quadrant operation. The DEPRAG engineers can carry out a comprehensive determination of power up 22 kW and create customer-specific characteristic curves of load profiles. In addition, as many load cycles can be programmed as are required. Each test item can travel individually on three axes and the system can be flexibly adjusted to the test item. In the test laboratory at DEPRAG, analysis can be carried out simply and in the shortest possible time. With their comprehensive performance analysis service feature, DEPRAG SCHULZ GMBH u. CO. are the preferred solution provider for the selection of drives systems relating to customised applications or the test of existing drives.