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Unread 05-07-2012, 10:29
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,766
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Re: CIM Motor Failure

Brandon,
What you describe is usually caused by mis-calibration of the motor controllers such that one motor is doing all the work on that side. However. since you changed the motor and the problem corrected itself, the motor seems to be the obvious fault. There are certainly other issues that can arise in dual motor transmissions. Often these relate to mounting causing higher than normal frictions on one motor. Although the CIM motors are fairly well insulated (note the fiber insulation on the armature in the photos), it is possible to damage a winding in manufacture. All indications are that the cool motor was not performing the same amount of work as the warm motor.
Since the CIMs are sealed there is virtually no effective way to cool them. The majority of heat is built up in the armature. the only path for this heat to escape to the outside of the motor is through the end shafts, bearings and then to the end plates. Some heat can be radiated from the armature through the air to the magnet structure and case but this will produce very little cooling. As Richard stated above, these motors are designed for intermittent duty. Practicing for five minutes with a long cool down period is best. We are in training at the moment and require longer periods to achieve that result. The motor failure was the result of our aggressive schedule.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.

Last edited by Al Skierkiewicz : 05-07-2012 at 10:33.