ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive Review: Specs, Price and Applications
Updated: 4 days ago
Storm 300 is ASI’s compact planetary wheel drive for mobile robots, including outdoor and uneven-terrain applications. The current manufacturer page gives a 20:1 reduction, 135 mm gearbox diameter and 24–48 V overview; the older listing says 140 mm and focuses on 24 V. Use the current configuration drawing to control fit and electrical selection.
Quick Verdict
A strong candidate where an integrated wheel-drive package, environmental sealing and redundant feedback fit the vehicle architecture. Dual encoders can support a safety design, but the drive alone does not confer a complete vehicle safety rating.
ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive at a Glance
Specification | Details |
Gearing | Planetary; 20:1 reduction |
Current dimensions | 135 mm gearbox diameter; 115 mm output flange |
Mass overview | 12.5 lb in manufacturer description |
Electrical family | 24–48 VDC; brushless motor |
Protection | IP67 conformity in selected documented drive scope |
Feedback/brake | Redundant encoder arrangement; optional power-off electromagnetic brake |
Bearing overview | Up to 907 kg rated bearing load; distribution/duty/life conditions apply |
Price | Request a quote for exact drive, wheel, brake and feedback scope |
Design and Engineering Assessment
Bearing load is not vehicle payload. Wheel count, weight distribution, center of gravity and impact loads determine how much each drive supports. ASI explicitly conditions load rating and bearing life on distribution, duty and application.
The current page separates low- and high-power performance examples. No-load speed, peak-efficiency point and peak-power point are different conditions. Use one selected drive curve and thermal duty rather than mixing the largest torque with the largest speed.
Redundant encoders provide information that a vehicle control/safety architecture can use. Diagnostic coverage, controller behavior and stopping/holding remain system-level matters. An optional brake also needs a defined static/dynamic use and release arrangement.
Vehicle and Electrical Selection
Calculate traction demand from slope, rolling resistance, acceleration and wheel radius. Include battery sag, motor-controller current limits and repeated starts in the cycle.
Check output flange, wheel offset and shock loads. Verify the actual connector and lead orientation as part of the installed sealed assembly.
Terrain and Recovery Acceptance
Test loaded starts, turns, grades and representative surfaces at the required battery conditions. Measure temperature and current through a warm vehicle cycle.
Validate the intended fault response using the actual vehicle controller and brake configuration. Retain encoder interface, scaling, wheel size and exact drive identity for service.
Applications and Selection
Configured indoor/outdoor mobile robot traction with defined terrain, loading and control architecture.
For ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive, define the actual machine duty before selecting an ordering configuration. Include the required operating point, available installation space, environment and control interfaces. The specification table describes the product or family; the surrounding machine determines which of those features matters for the intended job.
Price and Value
Price: Request a quote for the exact configuration. Compare the product, compatible control equipment, required mechanical parts, cabling and commissioning as one installed system. A component price alone does not represent the cost of a working automation axis.
Evaluate an alternative against the same duty and acceptance criteria. Match the continuous operating requirement first, then compare transient capability, feedback, mechanical fit and support. This avoids choosing between superficially similar products whose ratings describe different operating conditions.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Compact planetary wheel-drive package
Redundant feedback and brake configuration options
Current outdoor/IP67 design scope documented
Limitations
Bearing load is not total vehicle payload
Safety capability depends on the complete architecture
Performance examples must remain configuration-specific
Who Should Consider ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive?
Consider ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive for configured indoor/outdoor mobile robot traction with defined terrain, loading and control architecture. Establish the required operating point and installation interfaces before choosing the configuration, and use a representative loaded cycle as the acceptance basis.
ASI Storm 300 Planetary Wheel Drive FAQ
Is the gearbox diameter 140 or 135 mm?
The older listing says 140 mm; the current manufacturer page specifies 135 mm. Use the actual drawing.
Does a 907 kg bearing rating mean a 907 kg vehicle payload?
No. Distribution, geometry, shocks, duty and required bearing life matter.
Are the low/high-power example points interchangeable?
No. Keep each selected configuration and operating point together.
Does dual feedback certify a complete robot?
No. It supports a properly engineered control and safety architecture.
Is the brake always included?
The manufacturer identifies an optional power-off electromagnetic brake.
What determines required output torque?
Wheel radius, rolling resistance, slope, acceleration and vehicle loading.
What should an outdoor test cover?
Representative terrain, sealing/connector scope, loaded duty and temperature.
What must be retained for replacement?
Drive configuration, wheel interface, encoder mapping, brake and validated controller settings.
Prices are indicative and may change. Confirm the final configuration, commercial terms and delivery schedule before ordering.
