A recent Web site uses smart algorithms to search for more appropriate electric motors based on user inputs than other search sites that use generic algorithms. Motioninfo.com asks users to apply a weighing scale along with the motor characteristics they just typed. “So some times the size is more important than torque, or the highest torque from a 24 V motor is critical regardless of size,” says Motioninfo president George Gallalo.

The site works much as you would expect: Users type in the torque, speed, voltage, and other design requirements such as maximum 2-in. diameter. The algorithms then sort some 60,000 motors to find those that best fit the requirements. The algorithms then grade the returns and present those that qualify most at the top of the list. Unlike generic search algorithms that can find hundreds of motors, Gallalo's may only come back with 80.

He says the algorithms work by grading the motor for where the characteristics fall in the window users assign. For instance, if torque can range from 30 to 50 in-lb, and users identify high torque as important, those with 50 in-lb. torque are higher on the list even though a 40 in-lb. motor is also found. “This Web site can do in 40 sec what it would take knowledgeable engineers and a generic search site to do in a day,” he says.

Gallalo says his company began collecting motor information 20 years ago when it functioned only as a consulting firm. Over the years they developed methods for comparing motors despite the fact that manufacturers published lots of incompatible data. “For instance, we found ways to compare max torque to stall torque, to start up torque, and several others.”

The site is available for 10 days free to users at https://www.motioninfo.com/mdart1 with the coupon term mdart1.