Electric Motors and Servos

Introduction
The electric motor and the servomechanism both serve as fundamental building blocks
for modern mechanical equipments and advance technological instruments. An electric motor is
a device that uses electrical energy to produce mechanical energy. A servomechanism, or servo,
differs from a motor in that it automatically corrects its performance using error-sensing
feedback. A servo is typically implemented with an electric motor as the source of mechanical
force. In the subsequent texts of this paper, the commercial utilization, classifications, and the
operation principles of both devices will be thoroughly discussed.
Commericial Applications
Electric motors are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and most importantly, a convenient source
of mechanical force. They also allow delicate and precise movements, which grant them to play a
part in applications involving systems and controls. Electric motors can be found in household
appliances such as fans, refrigerators, washing machines, floor vacuums, hair dryers, and electric
heaters [1]. Depending on the power output and the size of a particular motor, the cost ranges
from a few to several thousand US dollars. Due to the simplicity of their construction and their
generic nature, production of electric motors is inclusive to almost any electrical manufacturer.
Servos, on the other hand, can be a bit more expensive because they incorporate
performance adjustment capabilities on top of providing mechanical force. The automatic
correction feature requires feedback circuits to actively monitoring the performance parameters
such as speed, in cruise control, and position, in navigation systems. In complex cases, software
manipulation of the mechanism is needed. Some of the highly advanced applications of
servomechanism include: automatic machine tools, satellite-tracking antennas, and automatic
security systems [2].
Classifications of Motors
Electric motors are classically considered to be in two categories depending whether the
motor runs on Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) [3]. However, numerous DC
motors also run on AC, making this distinction trivial. The most common DC motors are either

brushed or brushless; the difference is the use of an internal or external commutation to create an
oscillating AC current from the DC source [4]. Motors can be further differentiated by the way
they function or how they are constructed. For example, a stepper motor is able to rotate
discretely; this way the motors position can be controlled precisely. Generally, motors are made
with permanent magnets. However, electromagnetism may be induced in a metal ring by
wrapping AC wires around the ring to make an inductor motor [5]. Another way to implement an
electric motor without relying on electromagnetism is achieved from the ultrasonic vibrations of
a piezoelectric material. This type of motor is called an ultrasonic motor, and they are commonly
seen in cameras with automatic focus and lens mount [6, 7].
Servos are commonly understood to be motors with drivers even though other sources of
power, such as hydaulics or pneumatics, can be implemented. Three basic types of servo motors
are used in modern servosystems: ac servo motors, based on induction motor designs; dc servo
motors, based on dc motor designs; and ac brushless servo motors, based on synchronous motor
designs [8].
Principles of Operation
The operation of an electric motor relies on the electromagnetic interactions of magnets
and current-carrying wires. In the most basic scheme, a rotor core, carrying AC current, is placed
in a magnetic stator ring. The current in the rotor creates a magnetic field with the same
orientation as the orientation of the stator magnet. Since the same magnetic poles repeal and
opposite poles attract, the rotor turns, carrying the shaft with it. Continuous rotation is
maintained by periodically alternating the direction of the current flow in the rotor [4]. Stepper
motors have a slightly different design in that the internal rotor contains alternating magnetic
poles which align with toothed magnets on the stator. As the magnetic orientation on the stator
changes, the rotor realigns itself and step from one position to the next.
Servo motors are used in closed loop control systems in which work is the control
variable. Servo motors feature a motion profile, which is a set of instructions programmed into
the controller that defines the servo motor operation in terms of time, position, and velocity [8].
The servo motor controller directs operation of the motor by sending velocity command signals
to the amplifier that drives the servo motor. The servo compares its position and velocity
feedbacks to its programmed motion profiles and adjusts the motor velocity accordingly.

References:
[1]

Electric Motors [Online document], 2009 [cited 2009 January 20th] Available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor

[2]

Servomechanisms [Online document], 2009 [cited 2009 January 20th] Available:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servos

[3]

T. R. Kuphaldt. (2002, Nov. 25). Lessons in Electric Circuits (1st ed.) [Online]. Available:
http://openbookproject.net//electricCircuits/AC/AC_13.html

[4]

A. O. Smith Corp. (2002, Sept.). The AC's and DC's of electric motors. Tipp City, OH.
[Online]. Available:
http://www.aosmithmotors.com/pdf/brochures/bulletin3100/ACDC.PDF

[5]

R. Marino. (1993, Feb.). Adaptive Input - Output Linearizing Control of Induction

Motors. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control [Online]. 38( 2). Available:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=250510&isnumber=6413

[6]

K. Uchino. (1997). Piezoelectric Actuators and Ultrasonic Motors (1st ed.) [Online].
Available: http://books.google.com/books?id=gocBhXFRv_kC

[7]

Ultrasonic motor, by T. Sakamoto. (2007, Jun. 11). 20080303384 [Online]. Available:

http://www.freshpatents.com/Ultrasonic-motor-dt20081211ptan20080303384.php

[8]

Servo Motors [Online document], [cited 2009 January 20th] Available:

http://www.electricmotors.machinedesign.com/guiEdits/Content/bdeee4a/bdeee4a_1.aspx