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ELECTRIC MOTORS...

Precision motors are boosting

modern defence developments

Some of the smallest motors can be found in the defence industry, where precision,
efficiency, reliability and compactness are essential. Here, Stewart Goulding,

managing director of precision drive system supplier EMS, explains why small
precision motors are essential for defence manufacturing and development

he defence industry is a valuable part of can move with high levels of precision, allowing the
the UK economy. As threats become more rockets to accomplish missions accurately even at
complex, UK Defence needs equipment high performing vectors.
Tthat is precise, long-lasting and capable of
operating in the most extreme environments. In Exoskeletons
October 2018, a paper was published in Defence An exoskeleton is a wearable suit powered by a
Industry Bulletin, which discussed turning simple combination of electric motors, levers, hydraulics
rockets into smart missiles. The paper reported that and pneumatics, which provides limb movement
technological developments and miniaturisation with more strength and endurance limits for the
mean that small laser-seekers in unguided munition wearer. According to 360 Market Updates, the
system can now be incorporated, giving them military exoskeleton industry across the aerospace
guided capabilities. and defence sector is expected to grow by 65 per
One of the first to adopt this technology was cent by 2023.
the French missile industry. This allowed An exoskeleton could be likened to a
them to transform the nation’s ageing systems sort of mechanical armour. Sensors are
in 2005. The warhead and guiding system are fitted to the structure and record the
fitted onto a miniaturised motor, making the movements of the soldier wearing it.
system more compact and more efficient than The information collected is
many American counterparts. transmitted to the machine's
Micromotors with high power ratios and mechanised muscles, or electric
levels of reliability are crucial to this motors that power the soldier's
transformation as they allow for finer and movement.
more precise movements in the missile All the motors in the machine
guidance systems, all while maintaining the must be synchronized to enable it to
smaller sizes. This means that the ordinance optimise and balance a soldier

July 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p14