Interactive and educational simulation tool for permanent magnet synchronous machines

Purpose

This paper aims to present an interactive design and simulation tool for permanent magnet synchronous machines based on the finite-element-method. The tool is intended for education and research on electrical machines.

Design/methodology/approach

A coupling between the software MATLAB and finite element method magnetics is used. Several functionalities are included as modular scripts and represented in the form of a graphical user interface. Included are fully parametrized motor models, automatic winding generations and the evaluation of torque waveforms, core losses and speed-torque-diagrams. A survey was conducted to determine how the motivation of students concerning the covered topics is influenced by using the tool.

Findings

Due to its simplicity and the intuitive visualization of the results, the tool provides direct access to the topic of electrical machines without having to deal with separate scripts. The modular structure of the software allows simple extensions with new functions. Because students can directly contribute to the tool with their own work, their motivation for using and extending it increases.

Originality/value

The presented tool offers more functionalities compared to similar free software packages, e.g. the calculation of core losses and speed-torque diagrams. Also, it is designed in such a way that it can be easily understood and extended by students.