Thomas Unise
ETM Electric Torque Machines has made a significant entry into the robotics and advanced actuator market with its innovative transverse flux motor (TFM) technology, offering a flexible partnership model that empowers OEMs while addressing key industry challenges.
Addressing Core Robotics Industry Challenges
The robotics industry currently faces multiple converging pressures including aggressive performance targets, thermal management constraints, supply chain volatility, and the need for product differentiation. ETM’s TFM technology tackles these issues at the system level, enabling manufacturers to simplify mechanical designs, reduce costs, and achieve previously difficult performance benchmarks without significant tradeoffs.
As Chuck Ensign, ETM president, emphasized: “The era of sacrificing thermal performance for torque density is over.” The company promises to provide robotics companies with advanced actuation capabilities while maintaining control of their product roadmap and manufacturing processes.
Technical Advantages of TFM Technology
Traditional high-ratio actuators maximize torque-to-weight ratios but create thermal bottlenecks and reduce battery autonomy due to inherent inefficiencies. Direct-drive alternatives improve efficiency but fail to meet size, weight, power, cost, and cooling (SWaP-C2) targets because of excessive motor sizing and manufacturing expenses.
ETM’s TFM technology solves this dilemma by decoupling magnetic flux from electrical windings. This innovative approach delivers the torque density of high-ratio systems while maintaining the efficiency and thermal reliability of low-ratio drives. According to ETM, their patented architecture provides up to 10 times greater torque density than conventional motors.
The company has replaced the complex “rat’s nest” of copper wiring found in conventional motors with a simple, low-resistance circular coil. ETM’s design features steel wrapped around the outside of the copper coil, rather than the traditional approach of copper wrapped around steel.
Unique Licensing Model Benefits
ETM’s approach to market differs significantly from typical supplier relationships. Rather than forcing OEMs to rely on external component suppliers, ETM offers a licensing model that allows partners to manufacture TFM technology within their own platforms.
This licensing approach provides several key benefits:
- OEMs retain full manufacturing control
- Partners maintain their profit margins
- Companies can leverage validated architecture to accelerate time-to-market
- Technical risk is reduced
- Existing manufacturing infrastructure can be utilized
- OEMs maintain complete control over proprietary platforms
As ETM describes it, their model “turns the long-elusive TFM technology into a competitive advantage partners own, not a commodity they buy.”
Proven Track Record
Founded in 2007 and acquired by Graco in 2020, the Flagstaff, Arizona-based ETM has already proven its TFM technology in demanding, high-volume industrial applications. The technology was initially used in high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) industrial fans and now serves markets including marine propulsion, material handling, and pumps and sprayers, with new applications continuously under development.
Conclusion
ETM’s entry into the robotics market with its transverse flux motor technology represents a significant advancement for the industry. By offering superior torque density without sacrificing thermal performance, along with a flexible licensing model that benefits OEMs, ETM is positioning itself as an important player in the future of robotics and advanced actuator systems.
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