Photo: Baogang Group

China's first smart demonstration production line for rare-earth disc motors has started operation at the Rare Earth Advanced Materials Technology Innovation Center in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking a significant technological milestone in the country's rare-earth application sector, the Inner Mongolia Daily reported on Tuesday. 

The debut product from the line — a rare-earth permanent magnet axial flux motor measuring just 6 millimeters thick — can achieve a rated speed of 4,500 to 5,500 revolutions per minute, a peak torque of approximately 15 millinewton-meters, and a maximum efficiency exceeding 70 percent with operating power of 3 watts, while its size is reduced by 60 percent and weight by 80 percent respectively, compared to similar products, the report said. 

The manufacturing line is a demonstration project jointly developed by the innovation center and Germany's FEAAM company. It is expected to achieve mass production by the end of 2025, with an annual output of 500,000 units, the report said. 

The ultra-thin, high-performance motor has demonstrated broad application potential. The R&D team revealed that they have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with a leading Chinese automotive company, where the motor will first be used in smart cockpit cooling systems. 

Future applications are expected to expand into consumer electronics, wearable air-conditioned apparel, drones, and robotic joint modules, and the R&D team is currently working intensively on upgrading the second-generation product and refining automated production processes.

Global Times