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Air motor or electric motor ?

William our air motors expert, will share his thoughts

william mouille circle quote

Have you ever considered a pneumatic air motor as the best option to power up your new machine? I think that pneumatic motors are offering reliable and strong advantages towards a versatile range of application.

William Mouille , Industrial Segment Marketing Manager
Air motor or electric motor

Air motor or electric motor: which offers the best performance?

If you’re in the market for a new motor, I would not blame you for automatically considering an electric motor.  However, are you sure it is the best option for your application?  Pneumatic air motors offer many advantages over electric motors that could help take your operational efficiency to the next level.

Did you know air motors are easier to install and maintain than their electric counterparts?  And in real world applications, air motors deliver better durability, efficiency, versatility, and safety. Ultimately, all of these advantages equal more productivity and profitability for your organization.  

The perfect choice for heavy-duty applications

Air motors are more rugged and robust than electric motors since there are no sensitive electronics. This is key for heavy-duty applications. Not only do air motors withstand dust, humidity, moisture, and temperature extremes, but they are also unaffected by vibrations. 

Additionally, air motors don’t overheat if stopped under load. They can be stalled indefinitely without sustaining any damage.

Easy to install and operate 

When it comes to installation, operation, and maintenance, air motors require no complex wiring or controls, saving you time and money.  You can simply connect and disconnect to the air supply as needed and the output automatically adjusts to match the applied load. The motor’s speed is easily regulated using simple flow-control valves and torque can be easily managed by altering the pressure.

Pneumatic motors are naturally robust and resistant to aggressive environments, and therefore easy to integrate without overprotection. Also, pneumatic motor technology does not heat nor spark, making it easy to adapt in an ATEX environment.

Weighing up the benefits 

Electric motors do offer some advantages, namely higher precision and accuracy. But if your industrial plant has an established air network and you need a more durable design without precision and accurate speed control, then air motors might be the answer you’ve been searching for.

 

Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But by carefully considering the requirements of your application and considering all the options, you can make an informed decision on the best technology for your application. Read more about how to select the right air motor in our Expert Corner and check out our online air motor selector.

If you want to find out more or want to discuss anything to do with air motors, just get in touch with us via our contact us page.

Check our technical guides