However, the new XR15-03E low profile motor from Printed Motor Works is slender enough to be positioned parallel to the door, removing the need for a gearbox.
This arrangement has the advantage of saving valuable space, as well as reducing equipment and maintenance costs.
The brushless DC motor has an outer rotor design, which enables it to deliver high torque smoothly over a wide speed range without the use of expensive rare earth magnets.
Designed for volume applications, the low noise XR15-03E can operate at speeds of up to 7500 rpm, with powers of up to 113 W and a continuous torque of up to 3 Nm.
"We designed the XR15-03E from scratch to offer a new approach to elevator car door actuation," said Ian Matthews Golledge, project engineer at Printed Motor Works.
The motor is also available with an integrated incremental encoder, with customisable counts per revolution and channel options.
As well as being suitable for door actuators, the XR15-03E can be used for driving conveyor belts, stair lifts and medical centrifuges. It is also ideal for in-wheel applications such as warehouse robots.