Drum motors are enclosed, highly efficient motor drives used in conveyors, including x-ray machines, checkout terminals, and food processing. They operate in various conditions, have a steel, aluminum or stainless steel shell, and use helical or planetary gears for around 95% efficiency.
A drum motor, also known as a motorized pulley, is a highly efficient motor drive that has been enclosed in a metal shell. They are typically seen in conveyors of all types, including airport x-ray machines, supermarket checkout terminals, and food processing conveyors. In all these cases, multiple drum motors are installed under the surface of the belts, helping to pull the belts. These engines work by transferring torque from the engine through the gearbox and into the drum shell. This causes the device to spin, producing the desired motion.
Completely enclosed by its metal shell, a drum motor can operate in a wide variety of conditions. Dust usually cannot penetrate a drum motor, nor can chemicals or high pressure water streams, making them adaptable to a large scale of potentially dangerous conditions. They can operate in temperatures ranging from -40°F (-40°C) to over 122°F (50°C), making them suitable for a large number of different climates. Furthermore, they can be installed both horizontally and vertically without affecting their functionality, further increasing their usefulness.
The outer drum shell of a drum motor is usually made of steel, aluminum or stainless steel. Additionally, the casing itself is typically crowned to produce smooth alignment of the center belt in the gear. This means that the casing is slightly notched, like a crown resting on its side, providing a more consistent operation of the device.
During the operation of any mechanical or electrical device, some of the power generated will be lost due to friction and other cannibalistic forces as the original signal works its way through the transmission. This loss of power is completely natural and occurs in all types of engines. Drum motors use helical or planetary gears – gear structures that provide little frictional loss – allowing them to operate at around 95% efficiency in many cases. Only about 5% of the motor’s power fails to actually power the device attached to the motor.
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