One way to improve servo system performance is to increase the gains in the control loop, allowing the system to respond faster to commands and to settle more quickly, with less oscillation. But increasing the servo gains means that any resonances in the system — typically due to mechanical compliance — are further amplified, which can […]
Stepper Drives
Why do stepper motors vibrate and what are ways to avoid or dampen vibrations?
With each discrete step that a stepper motor makes, the inertia of the system causes the motor to slightly overshoot (or undershoot) the intended step angle. The motor then oscillates, or “rings,” until it finally settles at the commanded position. If the frequency of these step-by-step oscillations is at or near the motor’s natural frequency, […]
When is the application of overvoltage safe (and common) for stepper motors?
For most types of motors, operating with a supply voltage that is higher than the rated voltage — referred to as overvoltage — can cause an increase in current, and heat, high enough to damage the coils and other motor components. But in some cases, a stepper motor can be operated at a voltage higher than rated […]
Why is RMS current important in stepper motor applications?
Most precision stepper motor applications — especially those in automation and motion control — use a control method referred to as microstepping, which creates a sinusoidal (or nearly sinusoidal) current waveform, rather than the square wave of current produced with typical full-step control. The current rating of a stepper motor depends on the amount of […]
CVD stepper motor driver with RS-485 Communication
Oriental Motor is pleased to introduce latest driver added to DC input stepper motor driver line up, the CVD RS-485 Communication type bi-polar drivers. The CVD driver is a compact standardized 24 VDC driver providing the lowest noise and vibration available through the fully digital full-time microstepping control circuit. The CVD drivers can be used […]
Feedback on stepper motors for better positioning and holding (and less ringing)
Feedback-equipped stepper motors are not a complete substitute for servomotors, but they can provide a reliable alternative for many real-world applications. These motion-design solutions improve machine performance without breaking the bank. By Jim Stevens • Product Specialist | POSITAL Inc. Stepper motors are a top choice for many motion and position control applications. They’re available […]
New AllMotion EZ4Axis17XR-ST four-axis stepper motor controller driver
AllMotion now offers a new EZ4Axis17XR-ST highly compact controller driver measuring only 1.65 x 1.65 in. with six encoder inputs and 16 I/O connections. This 1/32nd step device operates from 8V to 30V and allows adjustment of the motor current up to 0.5A per motor. The compact board-level controller + driver was designed to allow […]
Trinamic now offers ultra-silent stepper motor driver with step/direction interface
Trinamic Motion Control now sells TMC2226 stepper motor drivers for two-phase bipolar stepper motors providing up to 2.8 A (peak) and supply voltages ranging from 4.75 to 29 V. Programmable using single-wire UART and featuring some of Trinamic’s latest-generation technologies, the TMC2226 driver is suitable for design upgrades with compatible drivers. The TMC2226 uses StealthChop2 […]
High bus voltage stepper drives and motors from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added a high voltage ac drive and compatible high torque motors to its stepping system motion control product offering. The ac stepper drive is powered from 90 to 240 Vac and is intended for use with step motors designed to handle a high bus voltage of 340 Vdc. MTRAC motors are specially designed […]
Leadshine 2-phase digital stepper drives from AutomationDirect
Leadshine 2-phase digital micro-stepping drives with micro-stepping motor movement and anti-resonance for optimal torque, provide extra smooth motion, low motor heating and noise. These drives accept a wide range of input voltages (12 to 110 Vdc, 18 to 80 Vac) and provide over-voltage and overcurrent protection, motor auto-configuration on power up and Soft-start at power […]
