3D Magnetic Field Model of a Permanent Magnet Ironless Axial Flux Motor with Additively Manufactured Non-Active Parts

A simulation model of an ironless Axial-Flux Permanent-Magnet (AFPM) machines is presented. Indeed as accurate analytical methods do not yet exist for ironless AFPM, 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is required at each time of an operating point. The purpose of this article is to show that for any operating point of the motor, the torque can be calculated from the distribution of the axial magnetic flux density obtained from only one 3DFEA. The proposed simulation model is validated by using a prototype of an AFPM ironless whose non-active parts are additively manufactured. This first step through the 3D printing technology is simplified by the use of cylindrical magnets and plastic mechanical supports.