Ansys Motor-CAD is a multiphysics-based electric machine design software used to quickly analyze and design electric motors and generators.
With this software, engineers can:
Motor-CAD is widely used in industries such as electric vehicles, industrial motors, defense systems, and household appliance motors.
The Main Purpose of Motor-CAD
During the electric motor development process, several challenges arise:
Motor-CAD solves these challenges by creating a virtual prototype during the design phase.
This allows engineers to:
Core Modules of Motor-CAD
Motor-CAD consists of four main modules.
1️⃣ EMag (Electromagnetic Module)
This module analyzes the electromagnetic performance of the motor.
Calculated parameters include:
With this module, the magnetic design of the motor can be optimized.
2️⃣ Therm (Thermal Module)
This module analyzes the thermal behavior of the motor.
Analyzed aspects include:
Temperature is one of the most critical parameters in electric motors.
3️⃣ Lab Module
This module simulates motor performance in a virtual test environment.
For example:
This module allows engineers to evaluate how the motor behaves under real operating conditions.
4️⃣ Mech (Mechanical Module)
This module analyzes the mechanical strength and structural behavior of the motor.
For example:
This enables engineers to evaluate rotor safety at high rotational speeds.
Types of Analyses Performed with Motor-CAD
Motor-CAD can perform a wide range of analyses for electric machines.
Electromagnetic Analysis
Thermal Analysis
Mechanical Analysis
Performance Analysis
Motor Types That Can Be Designed with Motor-CAD
Motor-CAD supports many types of electric machines.
Examples include:
Permanent Magnet Motors
Induction Motors
Reluctance Motors
Synchronous Machines
Others
Key Features of Motor-CAD
1️⃣ Multiphysics Simulation
Electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical analyses can be performed together.
2️⃣ Very Fast Computation
Motor-CAD combines analytical models with fast finite element analysis (FEA) to deliver rapid results.
3️⃣ Parametric Design
Motor dimensions and parameters can be easily modified.
4️⃣ Automatic Optimization
Designs can be optimized based on targets such as efficiency, torque, or size.
5️⃣ Full Torque-Speed Range Analysis
The motor can be analyzed across its entire operating range.
Results That Can Be Calculated with Motor-CAD
Key outputs in motor design include:
Integration with the ANSYS Ecosystem
Motor-CAD can operate as a standalone tool but is often used together with other ANSYS simulation software.
For example:
Motor-CAD → Ansys Maxwell
Motor-CAD → Ansys Mechanical
Motor-CAD → Ansys Fluent
This integration enables more detailed analysis and advanced simulations.
Example workflow:
| Software | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Motor-CAD | Rapid motor design |
| Maxwell | Detailed electromagnetic FEA |
| Mechanical | Structural and vibration analysis |
| Fluent | Motor cooling and CFD analysis |
Industries Using Motor-CAD
Motor-CAD is widely used in:
Typical Motor Design Process with Motor-CAD
A typical electric motor development process generally follows these steps:
1️⃣ Selection of motor topology
2️⃣ Geometry definition
3️⃣ Electromagnetic analysis
4️⃣ Thermal analysis
5️⃣ Torque-speed performance evaluation
6️⃣ Optimization
7️⃣ Detailed FEA (using Ansys Maxwell)
8️⃣ Prototype production
Motor-CAD is primarily used in the early and most critical stages of the design process.
Advantages of Motor-CAD
✔ Very fast computation
✔ Multiphysics analysis capability
✔ Motor topology comparison
✔ Reduction in the number of prototypes
✔ Design optimization capabilities