Lightweight motors for electric flight - the magnetically geared advantage
by Dave Powell of Magnomatics Limited

Magnomatics have been pioneering the development of magnetically geared motors since 2006, delivering compact and efficient solutions to the marine, renewables and aerospace industries. The race to zero demands step changes in motor and drive power densities as well as system efficiency improvements, where efficiency is often traded with mass for a specific aircraft. This presentation discusses the development of high torque density and high efficiency magnetically geared motors for aircraft propulsion.

Linear to Rotary Magnetic Gear
by Suleiman Sharkh of University of Southampton

The presentation introduces a permanent magnet linear-to-rotary magnetic gear whose topology is derived based on the operating principle of a transverse flux VRPM machine. It is shown that when the number of poles per unit length on all three members, rotor, translator and stationary flux modulating ferromagnetic pieces, are the same, the proposed gear is essentially similar to a magnetic screw gear with discretised helical magnets. Using different number of poles and iron pieces per unit length provides alternative means for adjusting the gear ratio. The paper describes the design and construction of a demonstrator gear whose dimensions were optimised using finite element analysis. Performance results obtained from finite element analysis and experiment are presented and discussed.

A novel axial flux machine topology for low-voltage traction applications
by Chris Lines of Saietta Group Plc

Saietta has developed a patented yokeless dual-rotor axial-flux machine topology with distributed windings that is particularly suited to low voltage traction applications. The unique arrangement offers performance and efficiency benefits given the highly sinusoidal airgap flux density distribution. Also, the cooling of the stator windings is effective owing to the high number of slots per pole and a good radial heat path to a simple circumferential-flow water jacket. The high number of slots per pole also aids in the machine exhibiting a very low cogging torque. The motor has been designed for cost effective manufacture in high volumes and is fully sealed from the environment. Discrete grain-oriented electric steel lamination stacks are used as the teeth for the yokeless stator and the formed windings are produced from standard round copper wire. Crucially, the stator does not rely on either the windings or a stator core to provide its final structure, but rather a novel overmoulding process has been developed to fully encapsulate the stator. Lastly, simple (unsegmented) magnets and solid rotor back irons can be used without significant efficiency penalty, which brings further cost benefits.

Dean Evans of NEMA

Aircraft Propulsion Motors – Technology Bricks, Trends, and Developments
by David Gerada of University of Nottingham

Being at the heart of electrified aircraft architectures, electrical machines covering a broad power range from hundreds of kW all the way up to multi MW class are being researched and developed to reach unprecedented performance metrics and help accelerate the market uptake of cleaner transport. This presentation gives an overview of the research targets, performance requirements, and challenges for such machines. Innovations in the constituent technology bricks such as motor topologies, materials, high frequency loss reduction, and advanced thermal management techniques are discussed together with the respective technology readiness levels (TRL) and motor-level performance entitlement. Deriving from the presenter`s first-hand experience case studies are presented.

Lampros Dardamanis of ZF Group

Chris Riley of Bunting Magnetics

Tom Hillman of YASA

SILA: WaveDrives linear actuator with non-contact magnetic transmission
by Graham Whiteley of Wave Drives

WaveDrives ultra-efficient SILA linear actuation technology with an integrated non-contact magnetic transmission has been developed for humanoid robots, co-bots, exoskeletons, bionic-prosthetics and other devices that need to cooperate safely with humans. SILA overcomes key limitations of conventional electromechanical actuation to provide compliant and reliable movement control across the broad dynamic range needed in the unpredictable and challenging environment of the human kinesphere. The unique benefits, challenges and scalability of SILA magnetic gearing will be explored in this presentation

Rupert Cruise of Magway

" Linear Generators for use in Wave Energy Converters
by Nick Baker of Newcastle University

Offshore wind is now well established with GW of installed capacity. Wave energy is an alternative form of marine energy which also has the potential to contribute to sustainable electricity generation. This comparatively immature technology operates at linear speeds at least an order of magnitude lower than that found in other sectors, posing unique challenges to the electrical power train. Nick Baker is a professor in Emerging Electrical Machines at Newcastle University with a specialism in developing low speed linear reciprocating electrical machines. In this talk, he will introduce the electrical challenges in the area of linear power take off in marine renewable energy and discuss some recent progress in linear machines developed in academia and industry.

Introduction to the AMRC
by Lloyd Tinkler of AMRC

Factory 2050, and brief overview of electrical machines research at the AMRC

Magnetic properties and applications of Non-Oriented-Grain (NO) FeSi alloys: trends and perspectives
by Enzo Ferrara of INRIM, Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Turin (Italy)

Patented by Robert Hadfield at the beginning of the XX century, since from their introduction as the first commercial alloys used in electrotechnics, NO FeSi steels, thanks to their low-cost composition and basic production processes, dominate the global market of soft magnetic materials. NO FeSi acted as a test bench to recognize relationships between, composition, structure, and magnetic performance. Their structural, mechanical, and magnetic properties have been so far matter of investigation, providing knowledge on the role played by e.g. grains size and boundary, cube crystallographic orientation, electrical resistivity, thickness, and mechanical stresses on magnetization processes and soft magnetic features in the low to medium frequency range. Actually, while thinner laminations are available for applications at higher frequencies and green guidelines pursue recycling and renewable resources, improvement and simplification of NO magnetic steels production processes remain a key issue to meet sustainable transformation and use of electrical energy.

Screen printing electrical steel sheets – possibilities and advantages
by Torsten Mix of Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Germany

High power densities and efficiencies are crucial for electrical machines. Especially for high frequency motor application with innovative designs they require the right type of electrical steel sheet. Additive manufacturing offers the possibility of printing sheets with lowest losses, as thinner sheets and different alloy contents can be produced. The additive manufacturing of Fe-6.5Si and other Fe-based electrical steel sheets by screen printing illustrate new possibilities for producing mechanical robust sheets with low losses in desired end geometry.

Innovative Solutions: Linear Induction and Synchronous Machines and Their Diverse Applications
by Muhsien Yazid of Force Engineering Ltd

For over four decades, Force Engineering has been at the forefront of engineering and production, delivering more than 60,000 Linear Induction Machines (LIMs), Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs), and a range of electromagnet products, including induction heating equipment and linear magnetic brakes, to clients across diverse industries. This presentation reveals a spectrum of innovative solutions through the showcase of LIMs and LSMs, highlighting their diverse applications across various sectors. With a focus on cutting-edge technology, the event showcases the capabilities and flexibility of LIM and LSM in powering a wide array of systems and processes, spanning from transportation to amusement parks, industrial applications, and magnetic brakes. Through real-world examples and case studies, attendees will gain insights into the transformative potential of linear motor technologies and their role in shaping the future of multiple sectors. Join us to explore the possibilities of LIM and LSM, driving innovation and progress in today's dynamic landscape.

Challenges for the next-generation of electromechanical actuation principles:
by Dave Krop of TU Eindhoven, Department of Electrical Engineering, Electromechanics and Power Electronics group

Still to be precisely formulated, but an overview of the research activities in the area of both multi-dof and single dof linear stages within the Electromechanics and Power Electronics (EPE) group will be presented. The presentation will contain an overview of research on the successful realization of unconventional electromagnetic actuation principles researched in the past and ones currently being researched. The process from concept to a proof-of-principle demonstrator will be addressed. To that end, the EPE philosophy is presented and how associated secondary research has sprung from issues encountered in our research over the years. These include the physical modeling of a wide variety of bespoke inter-disciplinary computational methods and development of in-house testing equipment and test benches. Finally, an outlook on our future research roadmap will be provided and how our experience from the past has helped to shape it.

Additive Manufacturing of Electrical Machine Windings: State of the Art
by Nick Simpson of University of Bristol

The unparalleled geometric freedom of metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) allows complex electromagnetic coils to be realised featuring targeted AC loss mitigation through spatially varying conductor shape and topology, embedded thermal management such as liquid cooling channels or extended surfaces, novel electrical insulation coatings, and value-add features such as integrated terminals and sensors. This talk will present the state-of-art in digital design, manufacture, and test of such windings including the post-processing challenges in realising low surface roughness and robust electrical insulation.

Recent Development of Modular Machines
by Guang-Jin Li of University of Sheffield

To streamline manufacturing processes for stator cores and windings while enhancing fault-tolerant capabilities, the utilization of modular electrical machines, particularly those with segmented stators, is on the rise. However, the presence of flux gaps (also known as flux barriers) between stator segments is often unavoidable. This presentation explores novel approaches to leverage these flux gaps in order to optimize the performance of modular permanent magnet machines with various slot/pole combinations. A thorough investigation into the impact of flux gaps on the electromagnetic characteristics of modular PM machines, encompassing parameters such as winding factor, open-circuit air-gap flux densities, back-EMFs, cogging torque, on-load torque, inductances, magnetic saturation, and copper losses, has been conducted. General rules governing these influences will facilitate the design of these modular machines. The findings reveal that, in modular machines with a higher slot number than pole number, the flux gaps detrimentally affect electromagnetic performance due to reduced winding factor and the flux defocusing effect. Conversely, for modular machines with a lower slot number than pole number, proper adjustment of flux gap width can significantly enhance electromagnetic performance owing to increased winding factor and the flux focusing effect. Beyond improved electromagnetic performance, flux gaps can serve as additional cooling channels, contributing to enhanced internal cooling of modular machines, particularly in the stator back iron and end-winding areas. Two innovative cooling technologies, namely ventilation cooling and forced liquid cooling, are explored in this presentation. Both capitalize on existing flux gaps, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and measured results demonstrate that these flux gaps not only enhance electromagnetic performance but also improve the thermal characteristics of modular machines.