Rolled & Fabricated Steel Frame Electric Motors
Steel-frame electric motors offer the ideal balance of strength, vibration resistance, and cost efficiency — making them the go-to choice for OEM equipment builders, agricultural systems, industrial skids, and material-handling applications.
Crossman supplies two steel motor constructions:
• Rolled-Steel Motors — lightweight, smooth-running, OEM-friendly
• Fabricated-Steel Motors — welded steel housings for rugged industrial duty
This versatility lets engineers match mechanical stiffness, weight, and duty rating to the environment — whether it's a high-volume production machine, an irrigation pump, or a sawmill conveyor.
Rolled vs Fabricated Steel Frames — At a Glance
Think of rolled steel as the lightweight OEM performer, and fabricated steel as the industrial workhorse before cast iron.
Typical Specifications
Specification Detail
Frame Material Rolled Steel or Fabricated Steel Plate
Horsepower Range 0.5 – 500 HP
Speeds 900 / 1200 / 1800 / 3600 RPM
Enclosures ODP / TEFC
Mounting Foot, C-Face, D-Flange, Vertical
Voltages 208 / 230 / 460 / 575 V
Duty Rating Continuous (S1)
Certifications NEMA / CSA / UL
VFD Compatibility Yes — Inverter-Duty Windings
Key Advantages of Steel-Frame Motors
Structural Strength More rigid than aluminum; ideal for mechanical load
Light-to-Heavy Flexibility Choose construction based on application
Vibration Stability Fabricated steel excels in belt-drive & sawmill duty
Corrosion-Resistant Coatings Powder coat / epoxy options available
Cost-Effective More economical than stainless / cast-iron
OEM-Ready Easy mounting & service access for skid builders
Ideal Applications
Rolled Steel – Lightweight & Efficient
OEM automation skids
Packaging conveyors
HVAC blowers & industrial fans
Light industrial processing lines
Small agricultural pumps
Fabricated Steel – Rugged Industrial Duty
Sawmills & wood-processing lines
Agricultural irrigation & auger drives
Compressor & pump skids
Mining & material-handling conveyors
Belt-drive, chain-drive, and gearbox-loaded applications
If the environment is tough but you don’t need cast-iron — fabricated steel is the sweet spot.
Enclosure Types
Type Use Case
ODP Indoor clean environments / OEM machinery
TEFC General industrial, dusty, washdown-tolerant environments
Durability & Construction Features
Fully machined steel housings & end brackets
Heavy-duty bearings for radial & axial loads
Powder-coated or epoxy-coated frames
Precision rotor balancing for smooth runtime
Oversized cooling fins (TEFC) for thermal efficiency
Sealed bearing options available for moisture exposure
Designed for reliability on equipment that runs all day, every day.
Steel vs Aluminum vs Cast Iron
Steel gives you strength without the weight or price of cast iron.
Request Engineering Support
Need help choosing between rolled vs fabricated steel for your application?
Our engineering team can size your motor based on:
Load profile & torque requirement
Mounting orientation
Duty cycle & start frequency
Environmental exposure
VFD operation & startup method
Request a Quote | Request Spec Sheet