We appreciate the time and efforts by the editor and referees in reviewing this manuscript.

We have
addressed all issues indicated in the review report, and believed that the revised version can meet
the journal publication requirements.

Response to Comments from Referee: 1

Comments:
The paper presents a new axial flux-switching motor and his control. The multi-objective
optimization performed has resulted in low cogging torque machine.
The cogging torque problem and the use of multi-objective optimization to solve a design machine
problem based on FEM are not new. Nevertheless, the electrical machine resultant of the process
is interesting. A slight improvement in the efficiency is obtained.
An experimental verification is necessary to validate the interesting findings

Answer
We appreciate the reviewer’s comment. In this study, we use Co-Simulation to investigate the
dynamic performance of the proposed motor.
Certainly, a simple linear model is not sufficient for a precise analysis. If the magnetic saturation
and time/space harmonics and etc. have been considered, the motor model will be nonlinear and
analysis will be much closer to reality.
In this study, firstly, we provide the 3-D FEM model of the proposed motor in the“MAXWELL
16” software. Then, In order to create the electrical and electromechanical parts of drive system
the “ANSYS SIMPLORER” software is employed. Finally, the control algorithm of the drive
system is implemented in “Simulink/MATLAB”.
The Co-Simulation lets us analysis of the motor with 3-D finite element method, external drive
circuit and control system at the same time.
We agree with the reviewer that the cogging torque problem and the use of multi-objective
optimization to solve a design machine problem based on FEM are not new; however, the
AFFSSPM motor is new and needs the optimization to improve the performance.

Response to Comments from Referee: 2

Referee: 2

Recommendation: Minor Revision

Comments:
The presents a new axial flux switching PM machine which uses sandwiched PM structure. It is
also interesting to use twisted inner and outer stator/rotor structure to improve the back-EMF and
torque ripple. The paper is well-written and very comprehensive, covering both machine design
and control. Only minor changes are needed.

1. Abbreviation such as "AFFSSPM" should be defined where it appears the first time.

Answer
We appreciate the reviewer’s comments. In revised manuscript, we defined “AFFSSPM”,
“AFFSPM”, “FSPM” when used for the first time in the abstract and introduction sections.

2. The optimal results are not on the Pareto front shown in Fig. 7. Please double check this.

Answer
Thanks for the comment. In revised manuscript, the optimal results are shown on the Pareto front
in Fig. 7.

Response to Comments from Referee: 3

Referee: 3

Recommendation: Major Revision

Comments:
The main problem of this paper is that the experimental results are not given to verify all the
analysis by FE and simulation.
Response:

Answer
We appreciate the reviewer’s comment. In this study, we use Co-Simulation to investigate the
dynamic performance of the proposed motor.
Certainly, a simple linear model is not sufficient for a precise analysis. If the magnetic saturation
and time/space harmonics and etc. have been considered, the motor model will be nonlinear and
analysis will be much closer to reality.
In this study, firstly, we provide the 3-D FEM model of the proposed motor in the “MAXWELL
16” software. Then, In order to create the electrical and electromechanical parts of drive system
the “ANSYS SIMPLORER” software is employed. Finally, the control algorithm of the drive
system is implemented in the “Simulink/MATLAB”.
The Co-Simulation lets us analysis of the motor with 3-D finite element method, external drive
circuit and control system at the same time.
In order to better understand how this study is done, the aim of the project is divided into the
following sections
 The 3D-FEM model of the machine is created using the optimal dimensions in the Maxwell
software.
 The control system is created in the Simulink/MATLAB.
 The 3D-FEM model and the Simulink model are combined with the ANSYS SIMPLORER

Response to Comments from Referee:4

Referee: 4

Recommendation: Major Revision

Comments:
1- The paper contains a new structure for AFFSSPM. In my opinion it should be classified into
two different parts. The first part will be dedicated to the design and optimization of the machine,
and, the second one should contain the drive and the specifications of the SVM-DTCFC, more
deeply. In the present manuscript, unfortunately, only sub-sections 6.3 and 6.4 are about the drive.

Answer
We appreciate the reviewer’s insightful comment. In revised manuscript, the drive and SVM-
DTCFC are studied more deeply.

2- On page 2, in line 39, change "be-tween two" to "between two"

Answer
Thanks for the comment. This has been corrected in revised manuscript.

3- On page 10, lines 31 and 32, i.e., "the output of speed PI is the sine value the reference torque
angle…", is meaningless. Please change it to a proper one.

Answer
Thanks for the comment. We modify this sentence in revised manuscript.

4- On page 16, line 13, reference "Lin, M., Hao. L., …" is added to the previous reference, wrongly;
please therefore, correct it.

Answer
Thanks for the comment. This has been corrected in revised manuscript.

5- Please prove relationships (8) and (10) briefly in an extra appendix.

Answer
𝑍𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 2𝑚𝑁𝑝ℎ 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐴𝑠 = =
2𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒 2𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝐷𝑜 + 𝐷𝑖𝑛 𝐷𝑜 (1 + 𝜆)
𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
4 4
Therefore
𝐴𝑠 𝜋𝐷𝑜 (1+𝜆) 𝐴𝑠 𝜋𝐷𝑜 (1+𝜆)
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 4𝑚𝑁𝑝ℎ
 𝐼𝑚 = √2 4𝑚𝑁𝑝ℎ

6- Please show the torque waveforms of the three motors for better comparison, as shown in Figs.
16 and 17 for back-EMF.

Answer
Thanks for the comment. In revised manuscript the comparison of electromagnetic torque and
cogging torque of the machines are shown.

7- In conclusion section, it is mentioned that the results of the air-gap flux density analysis, based
on the 3-D FEM, are also considered; however, in the present paper they are not included. Please
therefore bring the air-gap flux density distribution for the basic and optimized motor and 3D-
FEM contours of B and A vector fields.

Answer
In revised manuscript we have added the air-gap flux density distribution for the basic and
optimized motor and 3D-FEM contours of B.

8- The optimization was carried out for AFFSSPM, but, the new topology, on which in the paper
has been emphasized, is AFFSSPM-Twisted Structure. Please indicate the difference carefully. Is
AFFSSPM-TS optimized as a unified machine?
Answer
Although the optimization has been carried out for the AFFSSPM, the AFFSSPM has been divided
into two parts in such a way that output power in the inner and outer stators can be equal.
We define Dt as outer diameter of the inner stator. Since both inner and outer stators have equal
current, the relationship between electrical loading in the inner and outer stators can be expressed
as
𝐴𝑠𝑖 (1 + 𝜆𝑖 )𝐷𝑡 = 𝐴𝑠𝑜 (1 + 𝜆𝑜 )𝐷𝑜

Dt is determined from the equality of the output power in the inner and outer stators. 𝜆𝑖 = 𝐷𝑖 /𝐷𝑡

and 𝜆𝑜 = 𝐷𝑡 /𝐷0 so 𝜆𝑖 𝜆0 = 𝜆. Therefore 𝜆𝑖 and 𝐷𝑡 can be determined as

𝜆2
𝑖 −𝜆
2
= 𝜆𝑖 𝜆
1−𝜆2
𝑖

𝐷𝑖
𝐷𝑡 =
𝜆𝑖

9- There is a fifth-order LPF which is employed for improving estimation. Did the authors study
transient stability of the motor drive in the case of existence of this lagging LPF during faults?
The time delay is more or less high and the motor drive may become unstable during harsh faults.
There is also a differentiator in the filter and it may amplify noises amplitude.

Answer
We appreciate the reviewer’s insightful comment. Fault conditions are not study in this paper.
These are under investigation and will be presented in other papers.

10- Please specify the name and the version of the software that you used for 3D-FEM simulations.

Answer
The 3D-FEM simulations are performed using the Maxwell 16 software package.
11- For demagnetization, it is also worthwhile to check the flux density in the PM for maximum
negative id in case there is short-circuit conditions.

Answer

We appreciate the reviewer’s insightful comment. Fault conditions are not study in this paper.
These are under investigation and will be presented in other papers.

12- Did the authors used Maximum-Current-per-Ampere (MTPA) criterion for optimization? Did
they consider current-source modelling or voltage-source modelling in the FEM simulations? If is
possible what is the Power versus speed profile, this shows the characteristic power of the
machine, the overload capability, and the constant power speed range.

Answer
In this paper the sizing equation of AFFSSPM machine is presented and the main dimensions of

the proposed machine, by means of artificial neural network and non-sorting genetic algorithm II,

are optimized to minimize the cogging torque while preserve the average torque. We consider

voltage-source modelling in the FEM simulations. The power-speed characteristic is critical

performance of PM machines, which shows maximum speed, output torque and flux weakening

capabilities, as well as the efficiency. The power-speed characteristics of the proposed AFFSSPM-

TS machine is shown in Fig.

----------------------------------------------------

Response to Comments from Referee:5

Recommendation: Major Revision

Comments:
The paper is interesting and it concerns an original motor topology. Unfortunately the presentation
is a bit superficial, the paper addresses a lot of points, but not really deeply.

In revised manuscript we have discussed more deeply of electromagnetic characteristics of

proposed machine.