Brushless DC motor for vacuums

maxon motor has released a brushless DC motor suitable for use in ultrahigh vacuum. The 22 mm, 24 V brushless DC motor is an off-the-shelf solution for an application that traditionally requires high levels of customisation. The all stainless steel construction, SmCo magnet-based brushless motor features low outgassing and can be baked out at 240˚C. It is also vibration tested to MIL-STD810F.

Scientific and vacuum applications for DC motors are extremely varied. An example is the Watt balance, a machine developed to compare masses with electrical values in a vacuum. Its purpose is to redefine the measure of a kilogram. In the past we have relied simply on a known set of platinum-iridium weights that have varied with one another over time. The Watt balance seeks to overcome this problem using Planck’s constant to define the kilogram in terms of voltage and current. The vacuum capable motor has allowed scientists to build a 3-axis robot providing the necessary mass movements for the experiment.