Sumitomo Electric develops Powder Magnetic Cores for Axial Gap Motors

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has developed a powder magnetic core for axial gap motors, which are advantageous for creating thin and high-performance motors (in terms of output and efficiency). 

With the recent growing demand for light and high-performance motors, axial gap motors are attracting more attention due to their lightweight, low thickness, and high power density. To produce axial gap motors, high-quality magnetic cores that suit their three-dimensional magnetic circuits are indispensable.

Sumitomo Electric has developed a powder magnetic core that helps to realize high-performance axial gap motors. Additionally, the Company has newly developed an insulation coating technology to ensure the dielectric strength between the powder magnetic core and the copper winding and has started the mass production and delivery of the insulation-coated powder magnetic core as an ideal component for axial gap motors.

A powder magnetic core is formed by die-pressing soft-magnetic iron powder into a three-dimensional shape. Compared to magnetic cores made of electrical steel sheets used in conventional radial gap motors, it has great flexibility in terms of shape design and superior high-frequency characteristics and has been put into practical use in various fields, such as automobile applications.

When using a powder magnetic core for a motor, it is usually required to provide an additional component to ensure the dielectric strength between the magnetic core and the copper winding. However, our unique insulation coating technology has made it possible to wind copper wire directly around the powder magnetic core and thereby reduce costs for additional components and assembly. This feature has also made it possible to expand the winding space, which contributes to the development of more compact and efficient motors.