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DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

(OP)
Hi,

I'm new to the engineering world and am trying to select a motor for an application I am designing. I am trying to motorize a cart that weighs about 500 pounds and carries loads of up to 2000 pounds. The wheels on the cart are only 6 inches in diameter. Due to the enclosed facilites where this cart is used, the motor needs to be DC electric as to not give off any fumes. I am looking at trying to incorporate a "self-propelled" lawnmower type of system. In this case the motor would have to go about 800 rpms and some kind of belt drive would be used. I was just wondering if there was a motor out there that would pull such a heavy thing. The cart is 25 1/4" by 30 1/4". Any help about this or where to start my search would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Stelz00

RE: DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

If you could give the speed of cart and the type of surface it will be traveling on it would help.  Also any other factors such as stopping accuracy, stopping on a slope, ect..  
Is this going to be battery powered or can it follow a track?

Barry1961

RE: DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

(OP)
I would like the cart to go between 3 and 5 mph so that someone could walk behind it. The surface the cart would be traveling on is a concrete laminate floor that is a bit uneven. The cart would be battery powered as it is used in different areas of the facility. It would be nice to have a stopping accuracy of about +/- 2 feet. Also, I need a reversible motor.

RE: DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

With a co-efficient of friction (wheel)of .05, 2500lb, a 10 degree slope and a 90% efficient drive train you would need about 9HP to go 5 mph.  If this sounds about right I would go with a 15hp motor for getting out of holes and braking.  

As a rule you want your motor spinning at top speed at the carts top speed.  A gear reduction may help your design and improve response by reducing the reflected inertia.  

I think Briggs and Stratton make "golf cart" motors and controls named E-Tek.  If you already have some electric vechicals,(lift trucks), you may want to use the same voltage/batteries.  If this is in house only you may be able to find a used drive at a fork lift repair shop.

5 mph sounds fast to me, but I am old and fat.  

Barry1961

RE: DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

If a purchased solution is a possibility, check out DJ Products

www.djproducts.com

RE: DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

(OP)
Thanks for your responses. The information was very helpful. I now have a starting point. :) Thanks again!

Stelz00

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