As the name indicates, copper ore is a type of metal ore that contains copper minerals and some other impurities. Generally, copper ores contain copper oxide and copper sulphide compounds. Copper mining companies extract and refine these compounds to obtain pure copper as per the customers’ requirements.

If you are searching for information on copper ores, you will come across various key terms related to different copper minerals and copper ore processing methods. This guide intends to explain some of the technical terms from the copper ore industry.

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Chalcocite

Copper mining companies refer to copper sulphide as chalcocite. Chalcocite has very high copper content and it is one of the most profitable copper ores.

I recommend: Redstone Resources, a mineral exploration company, provides a glossary of geological terms, including chalcocite.

Chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite (or copper pyrite) is a sulphide of copper and iron. Though copper yield for this ore is very low, large quantities and widespread distribution of chalcopyrite make it the leading source of copper.

I recommend: You can read through the glossary of geological terms at Eastmain Resources, a gold and base metal mining company.

Copper porphyries

Copper porphyries are copper minerals that may carry minor recoverable amounts of molybdenum, gold and silver in addition to copper compounds.

I recommend: Ivanhoe Mines, an international mining company, offers a glossary of mining terms, including copper porphyries.

Supergene

Supergene compounds are copper oxide compounds that are generally found at the top of the copper porphyries deposits. Supergene compounds have high concentration of copper as compared to copper sulphide compounds.

I recommend: Santa Fe Metals, a reputable company engaged in mining of precious and base metals, offers a glossary of mining terms. You can also browse through the mining key terms at Imperial Metals Corporation, a mine development and operation company.

Azurite

Azurite is the copper ore that contains copper carbonate compounds. Azurite is also an ingredient of pigments and dyes.

I recommend: You can read through the mining terms glossary at Monterrico Metals, a reputable mining company.

Leaching

Leaching is a mining process by which a soluble metallic compound is extracted from ore by dissolving the metals in a solvent.

I recommend: Mining Journal, an informative website for the global mining industry, offers a glossary for mining terms, including leaching and cyanidation. To learn more about the leaching process, you can browse through InsideMetals, an informative website for mining professionals.

Concentration

Concentration is the ore recovery process that increases the dissolved solids per unit volume of solution. Mining companies generally use crushing, grinding or evaporating techniques for the concentration process.

I recommend: Metex Resources, a copper processing and exploration company, offers information about the concentration process. In addition, Greatmining.com, a website for mining industry professionals, also provides a glossary of mining terms, including concentration.

Electric motors are used in a wide range of industrial and commercial products and can be found in almost any size to power everything from miniature items to over-sized goods. These motors run on an electrical current and will either need to have a line-out power source to plug into a standard wall outlet or will run on powerful, built-in, long-lasting batteries.

Electric motors are powered by either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). DC motors run on an electrical current that flows from one steady direction. The current for AC motors alternates continually while the motor is running.

Both styles of current have their own specific applications in which they work best. Companies that purchase products from electric motor vendors will be able to:

1. Save money by running the motor electrically as opposed to operating with gasoline, which can become very expensive;

2. Find replacement parts from an electrical motor manufacturer instead of purchasing a new motor if a small part breaks down;

3. Receive help understanding whether an AC or DC motor would work best with a new product.

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Work with electrical motor distributors

Distributors of electric motors will have a large supply of products in stock to accommodate the needs of all of their customers. Many distributors will be able to help your company find the exact type of motor that is best for any job. They will also work with electric motor manufacturers to provide custom engines based on your specifications.

I recommend: Purchase motors from Automationdirect and Bodine Electric.

Find miniature electric motor distributors

Smaller items that require electrical power to operate will need miniature motors that will fit inside and not add too much extra weight. Motors can be found in almost any size and they are still powerful enough to run the products for which they are intended.

I recommend: Get smaller-sized motors at MicroMo Electronics and Lin Engineering.

Order from an AC or a DC motor distributor

Depending on how a particular product must be powered, it may need either an AC or DC motor. Some companies produce both types of motors, while others specialize in one.

I recommend: Make purchases from AC motor distributors Baldor Electric and Hansen. Order DC motors from Motor Technology and OffShore Solutions.

Purchase wholesale electric motors

Wholesale companies provide services and products to other companies at lower costs and depend on continued working relationships and bulk purchases to make up for the difference in costs. Wholesalers allow manufacturers to keep their prices on finished products as low as possible.

I recommend: Connect with electric motor distributors that offer wholesale rates such as Electric Motor Wholesale and Tower Electric Motor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if the electric motor manufacturers you are working with offer warranties and guaranties for their products. A company that does not stand behind the products it produces may not make a good business partner.
• •  Buy from local electric motor distributors to avoid paying fees for shipping and handling.

Whether you want to use an AC motor, DC motor, industrial electric motor or miniature electric motor, you must have adequate information about these electric motors and their working principles.

You can browse through the catalogs of electric motors for sale at websites of electric motor manufacturers and distributors. You should review these catalogs and installation manuals before you select an electric motor for your application.

If you want to establish yourself as an electrical motor manufacturer, distributor or expert in the field of electric motors, you can search for education courses in the field of electrical engineering. You can also search for certification courses for continuing education of professionals in the electrical and electronics industry.

Start educating and training yourself and/or your employees about electric motors by:

1. Reviewing product catalogs and understanding the basics of electric motors
2. Searching for graduate and continuing education courses
3. Understanding different standards associated with electric motors
4. Joining associations for electric motor vendors

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Acquire basic information at websites of electric motor vendors

Some reputable companies that offer wholesale electric motors also provide useful information on various aspects of electric motor products, such as the advantages of electric motors over other types of motors, their operation and maintenance procedures.

I recommend: Automationdirect.com, one of the leading electric motor dealers, offers installation and user manuals for electrical motors and their accessories. Bodine Electric Company, one of the reputable electrical motor distributors, provides technical literature on different electric motors, specifically for DC motors. MicroMo Electronics, an electrical motor manufacturer, provides pre-startup guides for miniature motors and DC motors.

Find a graduate or continuing education course on electric motors

You can enroll in a graduate level course in electrical or electronics engineering that provides detailed knowledge about electric motors. You can also search for the institutions that offer continuing education programs on electric motors.

I recommend: Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a comprehensive course on the design of electrical motors. The Electricity Forum is a forum that provides useful information for electric motor manufacturers. PDHengineer.com, an online source for continual education, offers various courses that can help the users to select, design and maintain electric motors.

Understand standards and codes related to electric motors

For electric motor manufacturers, understanding standards and codes for electric motor products and their accessories is important.

I recommend: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), an international standardization association, develops and publishes technical standards for industrial products, including electric motors. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is another institution that develops technical standards for electrical products, including electric motors. NEMA (The Association of Electrical and Medical Imaging Equipment Manufacturers) is another organization that provides standards, codes and research papers on electric motors and generators.