How to Model Outer Rotor BLDC Electric Motor

Overview

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, rely heavily on the performance of their electric propulsion systems. Among these, brushless DC (BLDC) motors are the standard choice due to their high power-to-weight ratio, reliability, and efficiency — all critical factors for maximizing flight time and maneuverability.

In UAVs, motors must deliver precise control, rapid response, and thermal stability under variable loads and environmental conditions. Applications for OR BLDC motors: High torque / low speed: UAV (drones), E-Bikes, fans, pumps, surgical robots.

This session provides a focused guide on how to model an OR BLDC motor for UAV environments using Ansys tools. Techniques for coupling electromagnetically are also discussed to ensure durability and performance under continuous or cyclic loading.

What You Will Learn

• Outline of the key components of the OR BLDC motor model, including the electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and thermal domains
• Parameter identification, from winding resistance and inductance to rotor inertia and back-EMF profiles
• Both analytical and finite element approaches are compared in terms of their accuracy, complexity, and computational requirements
• Coupling between electromagnetic and thermal effects for high-performance applications

Who should attend

Engineers and researchers looking to build or improve their motor modeling capability will find this resource helpful, as it highlights best practices and common pitfalls to avoid.