Power Play: Radio-Controlled Models and the BLDC Motor

POWER PLAY Radio-Controlled Models and the BLDC Motor Gas-powered RC vehicles have long been the norm among hobbyists, but advances in brushless DC motors have brought electric-powered models surging to the forefront. HIGH POWER-TO-WEIGHT WIDE RANGE OF SIZES LOW NOISE & LACK HIGH MOTOR RATIO OF MESS EFFICIENCY ш Can power models built to virtually any scale Allows vertical ascension Permits hobbyists to fly or race in more locations, Allows longer use on a single battery charge Fuels popularity of lightweight model aircraft with fewer restrictions BRUSHED MOTOR: BRUSHLESS MOTOR: A model car powered with a BLDC motor can reach speeds of up to 50% 70%-90% 100 mph ( EFFICIENT ( EFFICIENT ELECTRIC VS. GAS-POWERED MOTORS Quiet Noisy Clean Oily & messy Relatively easy learning curve for beginners VS Steep learning curve in many cases easy (difficult Minimal maintenance required Moderate maintenance required S Generally less expensive to buy and maintain More expensive to buy and maintain $$ RADIO CONTROL: A TIMELINE 1898 Nikola Tesla demonstrates the first radio-controlled craft - a pair of boats - at Madison Square Garden 1917 An RC drone plane is built for use as a guided bomb for the Royal Flying Corps during WWI 1922 The U.S. Navy begins using RC ships for target practice 1937 The first successful RC model airplane, "Big Guff," takes flight 1950s RC models goain popularity among hobbyists, although battery capacity is severely limited 1967 RC car racing takes off, and the first model kits are produced 1968 The first fully controllable RC model helicopter hits the skies 1970 The first off-road RC buggy is created 1974 Electric-powered RC cars hit the market 1993 Improved motor performance causes 1:10-scale electric cars and trucks to soar in popularity - and cost 2006 $4$ Brushless DC motors become legal for use in North American RC car racing WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY? RC toys, garage door 27 MHz openers, walkie-talkies: 49 MHz Advanced RC models 72 MHz (for hobbyists): 75 MHz STATE OF THE MODEL HOBBY INDUSTRY 8.6% Breakdown of model hobbies: (Based on product sales) U.S. model hobby industry grew from 2006 to 2009 - despite the recession Plastics & die cast $1.31 BILLION control 24 20.5% 25% 2012 model hobby sales in the U.S. 140,000+ 29% U.S. model flyers belong to the Academy of Model Aeronautics membership 25.5% AMA Model club, headquartered in Muncie, Ind. railroad General AVERAGE 37 AGE of model hobbyists sinotech Infographic designed by Mad Fish SEO Copyright © 2013 Sinotech www.Sinotech.com SOURCES: Hobby Manufacturers Association, Academy of Model Aeronautics, Wikipedia, eHow, XenonProject.com, R/C Airplane World