Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Acta Medica Okayama 0093-9994 60 3 2024 Designing and Prototyping an Axial-Flux Machine Using Ferrite PM and Round Wire for Traction Applications: Comparison With a Radial-Flux Machine Using Nd-Fe-B PM and Rectangular Wire 3934 3949 EN Ren Tsunata Division of Industrial Innovation Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kosuke Izumiya Division of Industrial Innovation Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masatsugu Takemoto Division of Industrial Innovation Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Jun Imai Division of Industrial Innovation Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tatsuya Saito Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. Tomoyuki Ueno Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. This paper proposes a novel axial-flux permanent magnet machine (AFPM) employing ferrite permanent magnets (PMs) and round copper wire. The proposed AFPM adopts a novel rotor structure and uses tooth-tips with a suitable trapezoidal shape. These structures compensate for the low magnetomotive force of the round copper wire and ferrite PMs, achieving high performance at low cost. Additionally, compared with an off-the-shelf radial-flux permanent magnet machine (RFPM) using Nd-sintered PMs and rectangular copper wire, the proposed AFPM achieves the same output power and higher efficiency, despite using ferrite PMs and the round copper wire. Finally, a prototype of the proposed AFPM was manufactured and evaluated experimentally. The prototype achieved a high efficiency of over 95% across a wide operating area while maintaining required maximum torque, suggesting its potential for traction applications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.