Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
DC Motors consist of two major parts, the part that rotates, or the “rotor”, and the part that is stationary, or the “stator”. A DC motor uses these parts to convert electrical energy into rotational mechanical energy using electricity and permanent magnets. Two types of DC motors are used in FIRST Robotics Competition: Brushed DC Motors and Brushless DC motors. Both types are useful in various robot applications, and both have their trade-offs.
Operating a brushed DC motor is simple; provide DC electrical power and the motor spins. In a brushed motor, the rotor consists of electrical winding wires and the stator consists of permanent magnets. Since the electrical part is spinning, there needs to be a way to connect the external power wires to the spinning rotor. This is accomplished through conductive “brushes” that make contact with the stator, automatically sequencing the power to make the rotor spin. Brushes make it easy on us, but they produce extra friction which reduces the efficiency of the motor.
Brushless DC motors don’t have brushes. They still have both electrical winding wires and permanent magnets, but the locations are flipped. The stator now consists of the electrical parts, and the spinning rotor consists of the magnets. This means there is no more brush friction within the motor, making a brushless motor more power-efficient. However, you can’t just give it DC power and expect it to spin. Without the brushes doing the sequencing for us, you must use a specialized motor controller that is designed for brushless motors to properly sequence the power and get the rotor spinning.
The REV NEO Brushless Motor runs an 8mm keyed output shaft which allows for an easy transition from CIM-style brushed motors into brushless. Swap a set of NEO Brushless Motors into your drivetrain or use one in an elevator to save weight and maintain peak performance. When paired with the SPARK MAX, you can use the integrated hall-effect sensors to calculate incremental position or speed from the NEO.
Stall Torque is measured when the motors RPM is zero and the motor is drawing its full Stall Current. This value is the maximum torque the motor is ever capable of outputting. Keep in mind the motor is not capable of outputting this torque for an indefinite period of time. Waste energy will be released into the motor as heat. When the motor is producing more waste heat than the motor body is capable of dissipating the motor will eventually overheat and fail.
Stall Current is the maximum amount of current the motor will draw. The stall current is measured at the point when the motor has torque that the RPM goes down to zero. This is also the point at which the most waste heat will be dissipated into the motor body.
Free Speed is the angular velocity that a motor will spin at when powered at the Operating Voltage with zero load on the motor’s output shaft. This RPM is the fastest angular velocity the motor will ever spin at. Once the motor is under load its angular velocity will decrease.
Operating Voltage is the expected voltage that the motor will experience during operation. If a robot is built using a 12 volt battery the Operating Voltage of the motor will be 12 volts. When controlling the RPM of the motor the DC speed controller will modulate the effective voltage seen by the motor. The lower the voltage seen by the motor the slower it will spin. DC motors have a maximum rated voltage if this voltage is exceeded the motor will fail prematurely.
The key metrics defined above are interrelated. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the definitions and how they connect together.
In order to ensure that an electric motor lasts as long as possible a few rules of thumb should be kept in mind:
Smooth loading - large torque spikes or sudden changes in direction can cause excess wear and premature failure of gearbox components. This is only an issue when the torque spike exceeds the rated stall torque of the motor. When shock loading is necessary, it is best to utilize mechanical braking or a hard stop that absorbs the impact instead of the motor.
Overheating - when a motor is loaded at near its maximum operating torque it will produce more waste heat than when operating at a lower operating torque. If this heat this allowed to build up the motor can wear out prematurely or fail spontaneously.
Poorly supported output shaft, most motor output shafts are not designed to take large thrust forces or forces normal to the shaft. Bearings need to be used to support the axle when loads in these directions are expected.
Connecting the NEO Brushless motors is fairly straightforward. Follow the guide at Wiring the Spark Max with the NEO Brushless Motor, and don't forget to connect your encoder sensor wire; the motor will not spin without it!
CAUTION: Improperly wiring the connectors can cause severe motor damage and is not covered by the warranty. DO NOT connect the motor directly to the battery.
The REV NEO Brushless Motor V1.1 (REV-21-1650) is the initial update on the first brushless motor designed to meet the unique demands of the FIRST Robotics Competition community. NEO V1.1 offers an incredible power density due to its compact size and reduced weight, and it's designed to be a drop-in replacement for CIM-style motors, as well as an easy install with many mounting options. The built-in hall-effect encoder guarantees low-speed torque performance while enabling smart control without additional hardware. NEO V1.1 has been optimized to work with the SPARK MAX Motor Controller (REV-21-2158) to deliver incredible performance and feedback.
Drop-in replacement for CIM-style motors
Shielded out-runner construction
Front and rear ball bearings
High-temperature neodymium magnets
High-flex silicone motor wires
Integrated motor sensor
3-phase hall sensors
Motor temperature sensor
A tapped #10-32 hole on the end of the shaft, allowing teams to retain pinions on the shaft without using external retaining rings
A tapped #10-32 hole on the back housing of the motor, making it no longer necessary to remove the motor housing to press pinions
Additional holes on the front face of the motor for added mounting flexibility
Empirical means based on observations or experience. Theoretical means based on theories and hypotheses. The two terms are often used in scientific practice to refer to data, methods, or probabilities. When we refer to empirical data, we refer to values that were produced via testing. When our documentation refers to theoretical values, those are values that are based on what the product can do, in theory, but have not directly been produced.
Check out the NEO Motor Data Sheet for additional information. Also, please pay special attention to the NEO Motor Locked Rotor Testing and please make sure you have read and understand how to set the SPARK MAX Smart Current Limit.
Empirical Motor Kv
473 Kv
Empirical Free Speed
5676 RPM
Empirical Free Running Current
1.8 A
Empirical Stall Current
105 A
Empirical Stall Torque
2.6 Nm
Empirical Peak Output Power
406 W
Theoretical Stall Current
150 A
Theoretical Stall Torque
3.75 Nm
Theoretical Peak Output Power
540 W
Nominal Voltage
12 V
Typical Output Power at 40 A
380 W
Hall-Sensor Encoder Resolution
42 counts per rev.
Output Shaft Diameter
8mm (keyed)
Output Shaft Length
35mm (1.38in)
Output Pilot
19.05mm (0.75in)
Body Length
58.25mm (2.3in)
Body Diameter
60mm (2.36in)
Weight
0.938 lbs (0.425 kg)
The REV NEO 550 (REV-21-1651) Brushless Motor is the newest member in the NEO family of brushless motors. Its output power and small size are specifically designed to make NEO 550 the perfect motor for intakes and other non-drivetrain robot mechanisms. Mounting holes and pilot match a standard 550 series motor, making it natively mount to many existing off-the-shelf gearboxes.
The REV NEO 550 Brushless Motor runs a 0.12in output shaft which, when combined with its 550-style mounting features, allows for easy installation in many off-the-shelf gearboxes.
Its small size and weight make it easy to put power where you need it, whether that is on intakes, end-effectors, or other weight-sensitive mechanisms. However, keep in mind that this motor does have a lower thermal mass than a NEO, CIM or Mini CIM, and thus it may not be ideal for some drivetrain applications.
Connecting the NEO 550 Brushless motors is fairly straightforward. Follow the guide at Wiring the Spark Max with the NEO Brushless Motor, and don't forget to connect your encoder sensor wire; the motor will not spin without it!
CAUTION: Improperly wiring the connectors can cause severe motor damage and is not covered by the warranty. DO NOT connect the motor directly to the battery.
Mounting features match other 550 series DC motors
Front and rear ball bearings
High-temperature neodymium magnets
High-flex silicone motor wires
Integrated motor sensor (3-phase hall sensors)
Motor temperature sensor
Check out the NEO 550 Motor Data Sheet for additional specifications and charted motor curves. Also, please pay special attention to the NEO 550 Motor Locked Rotor Testing and please make sure you have read and understand how to set the SPARK MAX Smart Current Limit.
The NEO 550 has been optimized to work with some of the above products, like the SPARK MAX Motor Controller (REV-11-2158) and the 550 Motor Pinions (REV-41-1608) to deliver best-in-class performance and feedback.
The REV NEO Brushless Motor (REV-21-1650) is the first brushless motor designed to meet the unique demands of the FRC community. Offering an incredible power to weight ratio along with it's compact size it's designed to be a drop-in replacement for CIM-style motors as well as an easy install with mounting options.
Drop-in replacement for CIM-style motors
Shielded out-runner construction
Front and rear ball bearings
High-temperature neodymium magnets
High-flex silicone motor wires
Integrated motor sensor
3-phase hall sensors
Motor temperature sensor
Empirical means based on observations or experience. Theoretical means based on theories and hypotheses. The two terms are often used in scientific practice to refer to data, methods, or probabilities. When we refer to empirical data, we refer to values that were produced via testing. When our documentation refers to theoretical values, those are values that are based on what the product can do, in theory, but have not directly been produced.
Check out the NEO Motor Data Sheet for additional specifications. Also, please pay special attention to the NEO Motor Locked Rotor Testing and please make sure you have read and understand how to set the SPARK MAX Smart Current Limit.
1 - 10-32 x 3/8in long Socket Head Screw
Press Fit Pinion
Arbor Press
Do not attempt to run the NEO while a screw is still attached to the back of the motor. Not removing the screw will damage the motor and/or shaft.
NEO V1.0 (REV-21-1650)
A high-quality 1.5mm Allen Key (i.e. WERA Tools, Bondhus)
Loctite 242
Arbor Press
Watch the video linked below to learn how to use a NEO 550 with our UltraPlanetary Gearbox.
UltraPlanetary Gearbox Kit () for the NEO 550 () is available. The kit comes with UltraPlanetary Cartridges to support six different final gear reductions, ranging from nominally 3:1 to 60:1 (125:1 w/ optional cartridges), allowing for the right amount of torque for the application at hand.
You can learn more about the UltraPlanetary system on the
Nominal Voltage
12 V
Motor Kv
917 Kv
Free Speed
11000 RPM
Free Running Current
1.4 A
Stall Current
100 A
Stall Torque
0.97 Nm
Peak Output Power
279 W
Motor Wire Gauge
16 AWG
Hall-Sensor Encoder Resolution
42 counts per rev.
Output Shaft Diameter
0.125in (3.175mm)
Output Shaft Length
0.267in (7mm)
Output Pilot
0.512in (13mm)
Body Length
1.752in (44.5mm)
Body Diameter
1.378in (35mm)
Weight
0.142 kgs (0.313 lbs)
Empirical Motor Kv
473 Kv
Empirical Free Speed
5676 RPM
Empirical Free Running Current
1.8 A
Empirical Stall Current
105 A
Empirical Stall Torque
2.6 Nm
Empirical Peak Output Power
406 W
Theoretical Stall Current
150 A
Theoretical Stall Torque
3.75 Nm
Theoretical Peak Output Power
540 W
Nominal Voltage
12 V
Typical Output Power at 40 A
380 W
Hall-Sensor Encoder Resolution
42 counts per rev.
Output Shaft Diameter
8mm (keyed)
Output Shaft Length
35mm (1.38in)
Output Pilot
19.05mm (0.75in)
Body Length
58.25mm (2.3in)
Body Diameter
60mm (2.36in)
Weight
0.938 lbs (0.425 kg)
1) Take a 10-32 x 3/8in long socket head screw and screw it into the back of the motor finger tight.
DO NOT USE AN ALLEN WRENCH The screw is intended to support the end of the NEO's shaft while pressing on the pinion. Tightening the support screw with an Allen wrench may damage the motor and/or shaft.
2) Using a flat arbor press plate, balance the motor with that screw down on the arbor press
3) Proceed with pressing the pinion as usual. When complete, ensure that you remove the 10-32 socket head screw from the back of the NEO.
1) Locate the first of three screws holding the back can to the front plate of the motor.
2) Using a high-quality 1.5mm Allen Key, remove the bolt and set aside. Repeat this for the other two bolts around the back can. Make sure the Allen Key is fully seated in the bolt head during removal.
3) Remove the back can. Set it and the three bolts aside for reassembly after pressing on the pinion.
4) Place the NEO upright in the arbor press. Make sure to hold the bottom of the motor flat against the press plate, supporting the bottom of the shaft.
5) Press on pinion. After pinion is pressed on reattach the back can. We recommend using Loctite 242 to complete the reassembly.
1) Place the NEO 550 upright in the arbor press. Make sure to hold the bottom of the motor flat against the press plate, supporting the bottom of the shaft. |
2) Place the pinion on the shaft and press. Take care to not over-press on the NEO 550 shaft! |