Infinitum scales motor testing with NI’s flexible platform

For more than a century, electric motors have remained largely unchanged. When Ben Schuler founded Infinitum in 2016, he set out to revolutionize motor technology by enhancing efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Through pioneering printed circuit board (PCB) stator-based motor technology, Infinitum has unlocked new possibilities for electric applications worldwide.

Meet Infinitum
What began as a revolutionary idea has grown into a network of state-of-the-art test labs, service centers, and manufacturing facilities driven by a dedicated team committed to fostering a more sustainable supply chain. Infinitum motors use 66 percent less copper, weigh 50 percent less, and operate more quietly than conventional motors, delivering higher performance at lower costs. Infinitum’s motor design has transformed the manufacturing process, making automation in testing crucial in order to maintain high standards across the organization.

Overcoming the Challenges of Early-Stage Testing
In the early days, Infinitum operated with a single test stand, supported by a single lab engineer responsible for both hardware and software development. Testing was largely manual, with engineers measuring and tracking data in spreadsheets. While this hands-on approach provided some flexibility, it also introduced challenges in consistency, scalability, and data integrity.

Recognizing the need for a more efficient process, Schuler challenged his team to build a world-class testing lab from the ground up. The first eight months were spent developing rigorous testing methodologies and refining early prototypes. This foundational work was crucial in creating a scalable testing platform that would drive Infinitum’s future success.




Finding the Right Test Partner for Success
Infinitum needed a test solution that could scale, provide accurate and repeatable data, and support automation across multiple test environments. After evaluating multiple vendors, the company selected NI for its superior performance, flexibility, and seamless integration.

NI’s high-performance test hardware, including the NI CompactDAQ platform, along with software solutions like NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand, provided the foundation for Infinitum’s standardized testing framework. The modular architecture of CompactDAQ systems allowed for adaptable measurement setups tailored to specific needs, while the LabVIEW intuitive graphical programming enabled custom test development with seamless integration of hardware control, data acquisition, and analysis. TestStand complemented these tools by orchestrating test sequences, automating reporting, and managing error handling.

The cohesive integration between CompactDAQ hardware, LabVIEW, and TestStand ensured seamless operation, empowering Infinitum to streamline test processes, extract valuable insights, and drive product innovation.

"By standardizing our platform with NI’s measurement systems, we ensured seamless integration of hardware and software that was not only scalable and cost-effective but also capable of supporting the diverse and rigorous testing requirements needed for Infinitum’s cutting-edge motor development," said David McDaniel, Director of Test and Integration at Infinitum.




Driving Quality and Efficiency Across the Organization
After it was implemented, the scalable test platform from NI allowed Infinitum to immediately begin automating measurements. With automation in place, the team knew that the next step was standardization. This process involved scaling their successful implementations across the organization in an effort to increase quality and efficiency while reducing costs. By standardizing processes across various test cells—whether in the lab or on the bench—Infinitum has seen consistent results across all platforms.

By adopting NI measurement systems, Infinitum reduced internal development time while maintaining adaptability to future needs. Even small refinements in automation had significant impacts on efficiency, helping Infinitum uphold its commitment to quality while accelerating time to market.

Essential Lessons in Scaling Test Automation
The transition to an automated testing system provided several valuable lessons for Infinitum:

The Future of Test at Infinitum
As Infinitum continues to grow, the foundation built with NI’s test and measurement systems will support expansion into new markets, factories, and increased product adoption. Today, Infinitum operates 30 test systems across multiple platforms and locations, including remote sites and factories in Mexico. Approximately 90 percent of their automated validation testing takes place directly on NI hardware- and software-based test stands, with production lines leveraging the same NI solutions. Standardizing test systems has had a profound impact on Infinitum’s ability to push the boundaries of electric motor technology, and it will continue to be a driving force in future success.

Thanks to the collaboration with NI, Infinitum’s test labs have evolved into centers of excellence for validation and measurement. With a future-focused approach, Infinitum is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of electric motor technology while setting new standards for quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

www.ni.com