The PM DM GmbH, Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea

Cleanroom_1_Person_web

Cleanroom_web

Cleanroom Web

The PM DM Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea GmbH was founded in 1991 and is today the largest motor development center within the international group of the Japanese Minebea Co. Ltd., Tokyo. Additionally, PM DM is the only development company for hard disk drive motors in Europe. Part of the powerful group, which employs over 54,000 people worldwide and is one of the leading manufacturers of mechanical and electronic components, over 270 employees develop innovative electronically commutated DC motors, known as BLDC (Brushless DC Motors). The core business of the company based in Villingen-Schwenningen is the development of hard disk drives. Many people use their hard drives every day and rely on their data being stored securely. Few know that the heart of the hard drive is a small brushless electric motor, called a Spindle Motor. It is this precise rotation that ensures the storage of large amounts of data on the platter. There are only three major manufacturers of such drives worldwide; Minebea ranks second with a current monthly production between nine and 12 million units. These motors are manufactured at the production sites of hard drive manufacturers in Southeast Asia. The situation is different for brushless DC motors, which are developed and built in Europe for Europe. On one hand, production takes place at the development site itself, and on the other hand, a manufacturing plant has been established in Bratislava, Slovakia. PM DM develops energy-efficient, specific, and robust motors together with its customers. Only in this way can optimal drive solutions be realized. The location plays an important role, offering everything needed for future-oriented development: qualified specialists with experience, flexible working models, and the necessary technology. Over the past 15 years, PM DM has gained a worldwide reputation in the computer industry through successful developments in hard disk motor technology, manufacturing, and measurement technology from Germany, and has further expanded its market share in hard disk motors. Today, almost every second hard drive bears the company's stamp. Constantly, new hard drives are introduced to the market that are thinner, faster, and more efficient. PM DM sets standards in developing such drives. Driven by success in the hard disk motor sector, the development company is continuously expanding its other business areas, including BLDC motors for industry and automotive, piezo drive systems, and energy harvesting.

An integrated management system plans, controls, and monitors all activities that impact product quality, the environment, and occupational safety. All customer requirements are thus met. For this purpose, PM DM has embedded concrete guiding principles into its corporate policy, which apply to all employees. The competencies lie in development and design, sample and prototype manufacturing, realization of complex production and measurement systems, simulation of technical processes, and validation.

The managing director of PM DM GmbH is Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Hoffmann.

Outlook

On one hand, the company possesses the necessary quality management for the automotive industry and specialized know-how. On the other hand, market assessments indicate that demand for server hard drives will grow double-digit over the next ten years. The BLDC motor is increasingly replacing brushed motors in the automotive market, where PM DM will establish itself strongly in the coming years. The parent company Minebea is already a world leader in stepper motors.