1.

Q:  What types of applications are ThinGap Embedded Motors best suited to?
A:  Applications from 10 to 10,000 units/year requiring:

1. Excellent torque over 2,000 rpm (high power/weight)
2. Non-conventional geometry or form factor
   
3. Extreme smoothness

2.

Q:  What specific applications are ThinGap Embedded Motors best suited to?
A:  Applications that require compact size/direct drive, smoothness and torque at speed.  Examples:

• Precision compressors for gasses and liquids
• Ducted fans for UAVs
• Precision instruments
• Semiconductor equipment
• Gyroscopic stability devices for cameras
• Gyroscopes for aircraft/satellites
• Propulsion for UUVs

3.

Q:  What are inappropriate applications for ThinGap Embedded Motors?
A:  Low-speed, high-torque applications such as:

• Bicycles
• Automobiles
• Wind generators
• Wheelchairs
• Applications requiring high holding torque at low rpm.

4.

Q:  Does the torque of a ThinGap Embedded Motor actually increase as rpm increases?
A:  Yes, the continuous torque does increase with rpm since the cooling caused by the rotor increases at higher rpm.

5.

Q:  Can the smoothness of ThinGap Embedded Motors be used for limited-range applications?
A:  Yes, if the cooling is sufficient relative to the current/torque required (temperature).

6.

Q:  Are ThinGap Embedded Motors enclosed in housings?
A:  No, they are outer-rotating motors – the external surface of the motor spins. This increases the cooling of the motor dramatically. See A Video Illustrating the outer-rotating irons

7.

Q:  Can ThinGap Embedded Motors be used with encoders?
A:  Yes, but the customer must engineer the mounting of the encoder and the exact design of the shaft required.

8.

Q:  Can ThinGap Embedded Motors be used with gearboxes?
A:  Yes, but the customer must engineer the mounting of the gearbox (or use the M2 NEMA-23 Mount) and the exact design of the shaft required.

9.

Q:  Can ThinGap provide custom-designed Embedded Motors?
A:  Yes, ThinGap can perform all the necessary tasks to build a custom motor :  software modeling, design, tooling fabrication, manufacturing and testing.

10.

Q:  Is the ThinGap Embedded Motor a low-inductance motor and if so, are any accommodations in the system necessary?
A:  Yes, inductance is very low – approximately 20μH.  If efficiency is important, it is better to use a high-switching-frequency amplifier or use in-line inductors.  See the discussion of inductance and ThinGap Embedded Motors at XXXXXXhyperlinkXXXXXX.

11.

Q: Can ThinGap Embedded Motors be used as generators? 
A:   Yes, any ThinGap Embedded Motor can be driven and used as a generator.

12.

Q: Do ThinGap Embedded Motors have any particular advantages when used as generators?
A: Yes.  Since the ThinGap coil does not magnetically saturate with increasing current, the ThinGap Embedded Motor can be driven to higher outputs without the output rolling off, meaning more power per pound and/or cubic inch.

13.

Q: What is the output of the ThinGap Embedded Motor when used as a generator?
A:  The current/power/speed curves for the generated electrical output are the same as the mechanical power output when used as a motor.

Q: How does ThinGap set prices?
A: ThinGap's 'Engineering Sample' pricing reflects our reluctance to sell motors for low-volume projects., since significant integration (hence support) may be required for optimum performance. Although many customers do not require any support at all, ThinGap motors are NOT intended to be 'plug and play'.

For OEM projects, pricing largely depnds on three factors:

• Specifications: Exact parts required, assembly required, balancing, etc.
• Customization: Degree and nature
• Volume: Whether the motors are built in the U.S., or built in China by our Investor/Partner Schcoh, Ltd. www.shicoh.com

In any case, the ThinGap Embedded motor is a unique device with unbeatable features in the appropriate application. It is not possible to get these features at the price of a commodity motor.