Compact Motors Provide Motion Control for Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Robot
Midwest Motion Products Company, Watertown, Minnesota
A remote-controlled, compact Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Robot (EOD) has been deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and other worldwide locations to secure and transport
hazardous, dangerous, or suspicious materials to a safe
location where it can be disarmed or destroyed. The
multi-axis robot has a “twin-tracked” design
that relies on 24 VDC electric motors and gearmotors
for motion control and propulsion. This design enables
it to traverse nearly any terrain, including city curbs
and steep sidewalks, stairs with an angle up to 45 degrees,
and rocky, sandy, and hilly ground.
The propulsion drive motors that power the twin tracks
have a unique, high efficiency design employing rare
earth magnets and an optical encoder for position feedback.
These motors are compact, lightweight, and designed
with custom winding characteristics that exactly meet
the application’s speed, torque, voltage, and
current profiles, while maintaining an acceptable envelope
size and weight.
The robot’s shoulder axis consists of a very compact
planetary gearmotor that can deliver up to 78 in-lbs
of torque at output shaft speeds up to 70 rpm to rapidly
assist in positioning and lifting heavy loads. The motor’s
winding characteristics and gear ratio were carefully
selected and evaluated to ensure peak performance while
maintaining compact size and weight. As in all battery-operated
vehicles, adequate motor and gearing efficiencies are
of primary consideration when calculating and validating
the duration of a battery charge.
This information was submitted by Randy Cordes,
President, Midwest Motion Products Company, 10761 Ahern
Avenue SE, Watertown, MN 55388. For more information
regarding DC motors, gearmotors, and controls, email
randy@midwestmotion.com
or call (952) 955-2626. Visit Midwest Motion Products
online at www.midwestmotion.com.
For more information on Vanguard Response Systems’
Vanguard™ MK II EOD robot, email info@vanguardresponse.com,
call (800) 429-9198, or visit the company online at
www.vanguardresponse.com.
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