1. What is a Servo Motor Sizing Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the torque required for a servo motor based on system inertia, acceleration, and torque loads.

Purpose: It helps engineers and designers properly size servo motors for mechanical systems and automation applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Total torque required (Nm)
• \( J \) — Moment of inertia (kg·m²)
• \( \alpha \) — Angular acceleration (rad/s²)
• \( T_{friction} \) — Friction torque (Nm)
• \( T_{load} \) — External load torque (Nm)

Explanation: The torque has three components: inertial torque (J×α) to accelerate the mass, friction torque to overcome resistance, and load torque to handle external forces.

3. Importance of Proper Motor Sizing

Details: Correct torque calculation ensures the motor can handle the application requirements without being oversized (costly) or undersized (failure risk).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system's moment of inertia, desired acceleration, and any friction or load torques. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine moment of inertia?
A: Calculate based on mass and geometry or use CAD software. For simple shapes, standard formulas exist.

Q2: What's a typical acceleration value?
A: Depends on application - packaging machines might use 50-100 rad/s², while heavy machinery might use 5-20 rad/s².

Q3: Should I include a safety factor?
A: Yes, multiply the calculated torque by 1.5-2x for safety margin before selecting a motor.

Q4: How do I measure friction torque?
A: Use a torque wrench to rotate the unloaded system or estimate as 5-15% of running torque.

Q5: What if my system has gearing?
A: Reflect all parameters to the motor shaft by dividing by gear ratio (for torque) or square of gear ratio (for inertia).