Automation of finite element aided design of induction motors using multislice 2D models

Purpose To develop a practical design tool employing a general purpose electromagnetic finite element FE software package to perform automated simulation and performance analysis of induction motors in a design and optimisation process. Designmethodologyapproach Recent publications identified a suitable approach in applying 2D finiteelement analysis to 3D problems. This, together with other similar work carried out on brushless DC motors, set out a framework for program development. Performance of the program was validated against practical test data. Findings Finiteelement analysisbased design tools can be realistically employed within a design office environment and are capable of providing solutions within acceptable time scales. Such tools no longer require user expertise in the underlying FE modelling method. The multiple slice technique was employed to model skew in threephase induction motors and it was established that a fourslice model provides a good balance between accuracy and speed of computation. Research limitationsimplications Program development was based on one commercial FE software package and comparison with practical test data was not exhaustive. However, the approach outlined confirms the practical application. Future work could consider alternative approaches to optimisation. Practical implications Computing hardware and commercially available 2D FE software have developed sufficiently to enable multislice techniques and optimisation to be employed in the analysis and design of machines. Originalityvalue This paper provides a practical illustration of how commercial electromagnetic software can be employed as a design tool, demonstrating to industry that such tools no longer need to be bespoke and can realistically be used within a design office.