1 million RPM motor [Model Acela and TGV the right way]

[Newyorkcentralfan]

http://www.livescience.com/technology/081114-record-rpm-spin.html This new matchbook-sized motor has run in test by researchers from ETH Zurich's Department of Power Electronics, who created a drive system in cooperation with its industrial partners that exceeded 1,000,000 rpm in tests. The rotor in the motor has a titanium shell to withstand flying apart. Ultra-thin copper wire windings are inserted in a cylinder "made of a special virgin iron. Cereroton, a Swiss company, Celeroton has been created to market products based on the work. They're looking at faster drills and more efficient and compact compressors for cars and airplanes as an application for the motor. Another application is higher rotational speed drilling that's required for the continued miniaturization of electronic devices.

[tomikawaTT]

Notice that nowhere in the article is there a cost estimate, either for the development (which, I'm sure was high!) or for retail price of a mass-produced version (which will have to cover the development of the prototype, as well as new assembly machinery...)

For that matter, do we really need a super-speed motor in model railroading.  I don't know of a single application that doesn't mate our comparatively slow-turning motors to some kind of reduction gear.

Anyone who bought the old Athearn Hustler has already owned a model faster (in scale speed) than Acela on a good day.  Most of my roster of 1960s brass would approach TGV speed if I ever ran them on a full 12vdc - they run at prototype track speed on about 6v.

I think I'll pass on this one.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)