Developments that first become established in the consumer sector - such as touchscreens, user interfaces or the use of standards for wireless connections - create corresponding needs in the capital goods industry and innovative sectors such as medical technology. These trends also have a significant impact on the requirements for electric motors.
The changing requirements for electric motors
Manufacturers of medical devices and systems can no longer afford to rely on outdated technologies for electric motors. Patients and medical staff expect modern, intuitive operating concepts that they are familiar with from the consumer sector. This places new demands on the electric motors that drive these systems.
Digitalisation has fundamentally changed expectations of electric motors. Modern drive systems should not only function reliably, but also be intelligent, networked and adaptable. Standard electric motors are often unable to fully fulfil these requirements.
At the same time, cost pressure is increasing in all sectors. Companies have to find a balance between innovative functions and economic efficiency in electric motors. This makes the decision between standard and customised solutions even more complex.
Standard electric motors: Proven and available
Standard electric motors offer the advantage of immediate availability and proven reliability. The specifications are known, the performance data documented and the supply chains established. For many applications, standard electric motors are the most economical and least risky solution.
The development time is significantly reduced if standard electric motors can be used. Instead of investing months or years in the development of customised solutions, projects can be realised quickly with standard electric motors. This is particularly important for tight schedules or rapidly changing market requirements.
The costs for standard electric motors are usually easy to calculate. Prices, availability and delivery times are known, which makes project planning easier. The supply of spare parts for standard electric motors is also usually guaranteed in the long term.
Customised electric motors: Optimised for the application
Customised electric motors make it possible to tailor the solution precisely to the application requirements. This can lead to significant advantages in terms of performance, efficiency, size or cost. Customised electric motors are often the better choice, especially for larger quantities or special requirements.
Differentiation from the competition is easier with customised electric motors. While standard solutions are available to everyone, customised electric motors offer the opportunity to create unique product features. This can be decisive for market success.
Integration into the overall system is optimal with customised electric motors. Mechanical interfaces, electrical parameters and software can be perfectly customised to the application. This often leads to more compact, efficient and cost-effective overall solutions.
Decision criteria for electric motors
The decision between standard and customised electric motors should be made on the basis of systematic criteria. Quantities are an important factor: standard electric motors are usually more economical for small quantities, while customised solutions can be more cost-effective for large quantities.
The technical requirements often determine the feasibility of standard electric motors. If there are special environmental conditions, extreme miniaturisation or special performance requirements, there is often no way around customer-specific electric motors.
The time frame is a critical factor for electric motors. Standard solutions are available immediately, while customised developments can take months or years. When deadlines are tight, standard electric motors are often the only option.
Hybrid approaches for electric motors
A combination of standard and customised elements is often ideal for electric motors. Standard motors can be combined with customised gearboxes, encoders or controllers. This reduces development time and risk while still creating an optimised solution.
Modular approaches allow proven standard components to be used and only the critical parts to be customised. Many manufacturers offer configurable electric motors that lie between standard and full development.
Step-by-step development is another approach: start with standard electric motors for prototyping and initial series, and later develop customised solutions for large series. This minimises the risk and enables a fast market launch.
Considering the costs of electric motors
The costs of electric motors must be considered over the entire product life cycle. Standard electric motors have low development costs, but possibly higher unit costs. Customised solutions require a high initial investment, but can become significantly cheaper with larger quantities.
In addition to direct costs, indirect factors must also be taken into account. An optimised, customer-specific solution for electric motors can lead to savings in the housing, cooling or assembly. These secondary effects can have a significant impact on the overall costs.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes all costs over the product's service life. Maintenance, spare parts, energy consumption and downtime costs must be taken into account. Customised electric motors are often more economical in the long term despite a higher initial investment.
Risk management for electric motors
Both standard and customised electric motors harbour specific risks. Standard components may be discontinued or prove not to be optimal for the application. Customised developments harbour the risk of delays, cost increases or technical problems.
Risk minimisation can be achieved through early validation. In the case of customised electric motors, critical functions should be prototyped and tested at an early stage. In the case of standard components, the long-term availability and the manufacturer's roadmap should be checked.
Backup strategies are important for both approaches for electric motors. Alternative suppliers for standard components or fallback solutions for customised developments can significantly reduce project risks.
Future trends in electric motors
The boundaries between standard and customised electric motors are becoming increasingly blurred. Configurable standard platforms make it possible to fulfil many application requirements without full development. At the same time, modern development tools make customised solutions faster and more cost-effective.
Digital twins and simulation make it possible to develop and test customised electric motors virtually before physical prototypes are built. This significantly reduces development time and risk.
Additive manufacturing opens up new possibilities for customised electric motors. Complex geometries that were previously impossible to produce are now possible. This could improve the cost-effectiveness of customised solutions, even for smaller quantities.
Conclusion: The right strategy for electric motors
The decision between standard and customised electric motors requires careful consideration of all factors. There is no universal solution, only the optimum choice for the specific situation. A systematic evaluation of the requirements, quantities, costs and risks leads to the right decision.
It is important to make this decision early on in the development process and not to postpone it under time pressure. A well-founded analysis saves time and costs later on and leads to better products with electric motors.
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