Nidec Corporation prides itself on being an international conglomerate that handles “everything that spins and moves.” Similar to an NBA star who can spin a basketball with expertise, skill, and passion, Nidec continues to thrive with expertise, skill, and passion in the industrial motor industry.
Nidec is the world’s number one comprehensive motor manufacturer. Nidec’s motors can be found in products ranging from cell phones, computers, and home appliances to municipal water, industrial mining equipment and more.
To understand how this organization is winning in the industrial motors game, let’s start by taking a look at its history.
U.S. MOTORS® is a brand of Nidec Motor Corporation. For over 110 years, U.S. MOTORS has stood for exceptional product reliability, and performance using technology to advance innovation. “At Nidec, we’re always pushing the envelope and focused on combining the benefits of newer motor technologies with the reliability of trusted products,” said Thiago Mohallem, General Manager of Nidec Motor Corporation.
U.S. MOTORS® brand products are designed to serve a variety of industry and commercial applications including:
- Water treatment
- Mining and metals
- Power generation
- Industrial equipment
- Agriculture
- Residential and commercial HVAC and more
A History Dating Back More Than 100 Years
In March of 1908, the United States Electrical Manufacturing Company began building electric motors in a 4,000-square-foot facility in Los Angeles, California, with 17 employees. Although the company was acquired by Nidec in 2010, the U.S. MOTORS® brand has thrived and continues to be a symbol of quality, innovation, and reliability.
New Products Recently Launched with Automation Direct: ACCU-TORQ
Recently U.S. MOTORS® launched their ACCU-TORQ motors with Automation Direct. Thiago Mohallem was interviewed about innovation and efficiency within motor applications and had this to say: “As a motor manufacturer, we look at this from a solution side. Our new motor applications are focused on providing a solution that uses the least amount of power across the operational envelope of the equipment, not just focused on motor efficiency.”
As part of the ACCU-Series™, the ACCU-Torq® AC motors are high-performance induction motors specifically designed for precision speed control. Optional encoder-equipped ACCU-Torq motors are an error-free solution to applications requiring accurate positioning or precise speed control without the rapid acceleration dynamics of a servomotor. ACCU-Torq is designed to be used with inverters and vector drives in applications requiring up to a 5000:1 constant torque speed range.
Nidec’s Innovation Game
Focusing on innovation and technology has helped Nidec stay ahead of the trends and lead the motor industry. Over the last five years, they have implemented modeling and design tools that allow engineers to optimize efficiencies before a physical part is ever created.
Mohallem stated that the recent biggest improvements in motors and drives are electronically commutated motors (ECMs). “Because these motors don’t rely on rare earth magnets, they are making a big difference from an efficiency standpoint. The cost and availability of rare earth magnets would have greatly limited the adoption of integrated motor and drive ECM offerings. The development of motor solutions without rare earth magnets has given manufacturers much more control on the cost and supply chain to meet industry demands.”
This type of forward thinking is what will keep Nidec and U.S. MOTORS ® at the top of their game for many years to come.
Keeping Their Eyes on the Ball
The playbook driving Nidec to secure and maintain the world’s number one position is based on its comprehensive resources including research and development, manufacturing, sales, and corporate management. Many Nidec employees have broad experience and knowledge in their respective fields including engineering, manufacturing, raw materials, and components, as well as in the sciences including electromagnetism, tribology, thermal and fluid, and vibration and acoustic.
While it is believed that motors consume more than 50% of power used worldwide, Nidec is making significant contributions to energy savings by developing and manufacturing highly efficient, quality motors. With their continuation of innovation, technology, Corporate Social Responsibility, and leading products Nidec will continue its winning streak and thrive in the coming years.