Stepper Motors - Motion Control Tips

ISL customizable stepper motors for industrial automation applications

January 18, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

ISL Products Intl. Ltd., leader in value-added manufacturing and engineering services for electronic/electromechanical components, now sells value-added hybrid, permanent magnet (PM) and variable-reluctance stepper motors which meet the exact positioning, holding torque, and repeatability specifications of the broadest array of automation designs. As stepper motors employ the theory of operation for magnets to make the motor shaft turn a precise distance when a pulse of electricity is supplied, they are appropriate in a broad range of high-precision motion control designs. ISL’s brushless stepper motors provide either rotary or linear motion and are controlled by an open-loop system (non-feedback system) to facilitate robust, economical, repeatable, and low-maintenance operation.

ISL’s stepper motors are delivered in frame sizes ranging from NEMA 8 to NEMA 52 (20 mm – 130 mm) and feature a 1.8° (two-phase) step angle. Additionally, 0.9° (two-phase) and 1.2° (three-phase) step angle configurations are available. To ensure OEM’s unique requirements are met, ISL engineers help identify the optimal stepper motor solutions for each application. Included among ISL’s stepper motor customization capabilities are those pertaining to brake, gearhead, torque density, voltage, output speed, encoder/driver, power, current, lead screw/ball screw (linear stepper), all-in-one driver/controller, step angle, phase and pole count, lead wire/connector, shaft configuration and material.

These customizable, value-added stepper motors are commonly used in industrial automation, retail and vending machines, robotics, dispensing machines, 3D printers, machine tools, manufacturing equipment, conveyor and fluid control systems, automated guided vehicles (AGV), packaging, and food processing equipment. They are also specified for ticketing, gambling, labelling, textile, and carving machinery, as well as CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machines and medical devices.

Pricing for ISL’s value-added hybrid, permanent magnetic (PM) and variable reluctance stepper motors is determined based on customer specifications. Samples are available upon request. For more information, visit islproducts.com.

ISL Products Limited offers a comprehensive portfolio of supply chain and logistics management services. For more than 40 years, design engineers and OEMs have relied on ISL’s world-wide engineering sales and support network to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to help accelerate time-to-market. Products include audio components, motor and mechanical components, ballasts and power supplies, potentiometers-transformers, cable assemblies, and connectors. The company maintains a network of US sales representatives and is headquartered in Syosset, N.Y.

Internationally certified stepper motor for hazardous locations from Applied Motion Products

December 11, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Applied Motion Products introduces a commercially available step motor internationally certified for use in hazardous locations throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. Offering high-performance motion control in the challenging environments of oil, gas, printing, and paint finishing applications, the HX56-100 Hazardous Location Stepper Motor features:

ATEX and IECEx certifications for Class 1, Zone 1 locations
UL-Listed for Class 1, Division 1, Group C and D locations
Type 4X and IP66 rated enclosure

Class I hazardous locations are areas where flammable gases, vapors or liquids are, or may be, present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures. Zone 1, also known as Division 1, defines a hazardous location in which flammable gases, vapors or liquids exist all of the time or some of the time under normal operating conditions.

“The HX56-100 Hazardous Location Stepper Motor is the only step motor in the world certified internationally by UL, ATEX, and IECEx,” notes Jason Jones, Regional Sales Manager, Applied Motion Products. “By providing a best-in-class solution for motion control applications in hazardous locations worldwide, the HX56-100 Stepper Motor minimizes the cost and time involved with gaining regulatory compliance for an OEM’s complete system.”

The HX56-100 Stepper Motor is specifically designed for use with the STAC6-Q-H Stepper Drive, the first and only step motor drive internationally certified for use in hazardous locations. The STAC6-Q-H features an advanced anti-resonance algorithm that ensures optimal torque performance from the HX56-100 over a wide speed range. Microstepping ensures smooth, high-resolution positioning. The drive is capable of running stored programs created with Applied Motion’s Q programming language, and has sufficient input/output signals to connect to multiple external devices or sensors.

For more Information on the HX56-100 Hazardous Location Step motor, visit www.applied-motion.com.

New ICs for step-motor control from Performance Motion Devices

December 6, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Performance Motion Devices now sells new Juno Step Motor Control Integrated Circuits (ICs) in a 56-pin VQFN package. The new Juno Step Motor Control IC is the latest addition to the Juno Velocity and Torque Control IC family … the industry’s first family of compact ICs with full four-quadrant motion control; direct input accepted from quadrature encoders; profile generation; and advanced current control.

Juno ICs are for designs with limited space that need to control noise, vibration, and power consumption. Juno ICs are also easy to deploy with embedded motion commands and onboard intelligence.

Performance Medical Devices recently released the Juno Velocity and Torque Control IC series — the industry’s first family of compact ICs with full four-quadrant motion control, direct input quadrature encoder, profile generation, and advanced current control.

The Juno Step Motor Control IC 56-pin VQFN package has the highest PWM frequencies offered by Performance Motion Devices and the smallest IC parts — measuring 7.2 x 7.2 mm. Juno Step Motor Control ICs are available both with encoder input and without.

The Juno Step Motor Control IC also comes with numerous safety features … including stall detection, over- and under-voltage sense, overcurrent detection, over-temperature, and i²t current foldback. Coupled with compact MOSFETs, the Juno Step Motor Control IC can replace older step motor amplifiers and dramatically reduce the size and heat output.

“Juno Step Motor Control ICs offer embedded motion and use a proprietary current control technique that results in ultra-smooth, quiet, and efficient motion of the step motor,” said Chuck Lewin, CEO of Performance Motion Devices.

“By driving step motors more quietly and rapidly, existing step motor-based systems can get a performance boost and avoid an expensive transition to a brushless dc motor. In short, this IC lets step-motor users upgrade the controls but keep the motor … and get a big jump in machine performance.”

The Juno IC family is suitable for a wide range of applications including precision liquid pumping, packaging and lab automation, pick and place machines, flow rate control, XYZ tables, and many other robotic, scientific, and industrial applications. For more information, visit www.pmdcorp.com/JunoIC.

Performance Motion Devices supplies high-performance integrated circuit, board, and drive-based motion control solutions to OEMs and contract manufactures around the globe. Its technology controls more than five million motors worldwide, providing motion solutions to some of the world’s largest manufacturers. If speed, efficiency, and reliability are top of mind, Performance Motion Devices has proven motion control technologies that can decrease development time.

PowerPlus stepper motors from Moons’ Industries — high-torque replacements for NEMA 23, 24, and 34 motors

December 4, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

To upgrade machine performance or address stalling problems, manufacturers often resize motors with greater torque to reach greater accelerations for proper operations. Retrofitting a stepper motor, however, is time-consuming and expensive as it requires machining new mounting brackets and increasing the drive size and power supplies. PowerPlus Hybrid Stepper Motors from MOONS’ Industries eliminate the hassles of resizing motors by providing 25% to 40% more torque across the entire speed range of a motor. With the same physical dimensions as standard NEMA 23, 24 and 34 stepper motors, PowerPlus Hybrid Stepper Motors often drop into place to minimize upgrade costs while improving performance.

The increased torque of the PowerPlus technology is the result of higher motor efficiency. In a conventional stepper motor, some of the torque-producing flux that links the rotor to the stator is formed outside the stator teeth. The stray flux wastes power and adds little to motor torque.

A higher magnetic flux density within the motor increases the performance of the PowerPlus Stepper Motor, enabling it to generate up to 40% more torque than conventional motors. Magnets placed between the stator teeth redirect and refocus most of the stray magnetic flux into the stator teeth to produce additional torque with the same input power.

Retrofitting existing motors with PowerPlus technology offers a quick path to producing new machines with improved performance.

Because the motor size, drive, and mechanical parts remain the same, PowerPlus Hybrid Stepper Motors:

Reduce engineering costs
Expedite new product introductions with an easier production phase
Reduce spare parts inventory
Provide a quick solution to stalling machines due to unexpected field conditions such as low temperature, dirt, wear of mechanical parts or lack of maintenance

Application for PowerPlus stepper motors

In a typical application upgrading stepper motor performance with PowerPlus technology, a manufacturer of CNC cutting systems wants to produce a high-performance version of its current machine to increase cutting speeds by 75% to 100% and improve move speed.

Machine specs of current machine

Machine specs of high-performance machine

· Rapid move speed: 300 rpm

· Cutting speed: 150 rpm

· Power supply output: 24 Vdc @ 5 A

· Stepper drive output: 1.5 A

· Motor holding toque: 210 oz-in.

· Rapid move speed: 600 rpm

· Cutting speed: 300 rpm

· Power supply output: 24 Vdc @ 5 A

· Stepper drive output: 1.5 A

· Motor holding toque: 330 oz-in.

Engineering this new product, the CNC manufacturer wants to minimize engineering time while limiting parts inventory. A PowerPlus Stepper Motor provides twice the additional power over the existing motor needed for the new CNC machine without redesigning new parts or changing drives, power supply or the control program. In fact, by using PowerPlus motors, the machine builder can possibly use a smaller size motor and drive system to reach the same performance in a smaller and more cost-effective package.

For more information on the PowerPlus motors, visit moonsindustries.com/c/powerplus-hybrid-stepper-motors-a020102 or email chuck.leonard@moonsindustries.com.

MOONS’ Industries is a manufacturer of key components for motion control, intelligent LED lighting control, and industrial equipment management. MOONS’ cooperates with leading companies to provide creative solutions and high quality products focused on efficiency and performance. For more information, visit moonsindustries.com.

Applied Motion Products customizes integrated motor for better package handling on conveyor

November 8, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Integrated STM/SWM stepper motors from Applied Motion Products help save space, wiring, and cost on advanced conveyors.

For one conveyor handling packages of various configurations, the integrated steppers form part of an assembly to position as rapidly as the analog control updates target position — every 4 msec. Here, the motors also address changing requirements for sorting, alignment, and singulation.

Combining a motor, drive, and control, STM/SWM motors are capable of automatic stall detection and prevention … and include an encoder for feedback on motor position.

Q Programmer motion control software on the STM/SWM integrated stepper-motor controls simplifies configuration to specific conveyor requirements. In addition, EtherNet/IP communications replace noisy analog signals … and eliminate the need to run long signal wires from as many as 100 motors to a central PLC. That lets even the most advanced conveyors coordinate high-speed maneuvers with precision.

For more information, visit applied-motion.com/products or fill out this contact form.

Applied Motion Products specializes in high-precision, cost-effective motion control products including stepper and servo motors, drives, controllers, gearheads, and power supplies. The company serves a diverse industrial and OEM customer base with both standard and customized products. With in-depth motor and control expertise, Applied Motion Products works with customers from initial concept and design through finished product and production to provide the best motion control solutions to a range of markets.

AutomationDirect adds SureStep stepper system motors, encoders and inertia dampers

November 2, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

New stepper motors, encoders and inertia dampers have been added to the SureStep system of step motor control. SureStep series high-torque industry-standard NEMA 14, 17, 23, and 34 stepper motors now provide holding torque from 8 to 1,288 oz-in. The new smaller frame size NEMA 14 motors (1.4-in. wide) start at $22.00 and are available in single and dual shaft versions.

The SureStep family has options for open loop control (no encoder), position monitoring (external encoder feedback), and position verification (integrated motor/drives with internal encoder). Replacement and optional encoders (starting at $42.00) are available for standalone dual-shaft motors and standard integrated motor/drives in all NEMA 14, 17, and 23 sizes.

Fixed resolution encoders are available in 400 pulses per revolution (ppr) and 1,000 ppr; new configurable encoders allow resolution selection from 48 to 4,096 ppr (the default is 400 ppr). A free downloadable configuration utility autodetects the encoder and allows ppr selection.

New step motor inertia dampers (starting at $13.00) smooth out steps in a typical step motor, resulting in a quieter and smoother motion when rotating between steps. The dampers also reduce resonance and possible micro oscillations when moving from step to step and can be used as a hand wheel to directly rotate the position of the rotor when power is removed from the motor.

SureStep Stepper System motors, encoders and dampers are CE approved and backed by a one-year warranty.

For more information, visit www.automationdirect.com/stepper-systems.

New NEMA 17 size integrated stepper motor from JVL

October 18, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

JVL Industri Elektronik A/S has introduced a new compact and slim stepper motor. The new ServoStep integrated stepper motor series MIS171 to MIS176 features a NEMA 17 42 x 42 mm flange and includes a controller with six different industrial Ethernet protocols, absolute multiturn encoder, closed loop and M12 connectors. This new motor family is based on the latest microprocessor and cooling technology and is an advancement compared to previous designs.

All the necessary electronics in a stepper system are integrated in the motor itself and are similar to the concept used by other JVL motors, making it easy to use in all kinds of motion control stepper or servomotor applications.

The motor contains everything needed to solve modern control tasks, either as a stand-alone unit with a programmable motion controller or controlled from an external PLC or PC. Eight I/O points can be individually configured as digital input, digital output or analog input. Modbus RTU or CANopen provide easy connections to a PLC or HMI. An ActiveX/OCX driver is available for a simple interface to LabView, Excel, VB or other Windows-programs. Up to 254 axes can be connected on the same RS485 bus.

Key features include a Safe Torque Off (STO) input, high resolution to 409,600 count/rev, speed range from 0 to 3,000 in 0.01 rpm steps, a wide supply range from 7 to 72 Vdc and protection class up to IP67. Also, Profinet, EtherCAT, Powerlink, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP or SERCOS III are available and for EtherCAT and SERCOS III synchronization and drive profiles are available.

For more information, visit www.jvl.dk.

New CVK-SC Stepper Motor Speed Control System from Oriental Motor

August 6, 2018 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

CVK-SC series — 0.72º, 24 VDC input stepper motor speed control

Oriental Motor is pleased to introduce the new CVK-SC series stepper motor speed control system. Specifically designed for common speed control applications with constant duty, the CVK-SC series features ease of use, holding torque when stopped, and increased repeat positioning accuracy. This speed control system offers a simple configuration consisting of a stepper motor, driver, and programmable controller.

The CVK-SC series’ operating speed, acceleration and deceleration time, and running current can be set via the driver switches, and simply turning the FWD (RVS) input to ON or OFF allows for easy control. With a speed range of 0.02 to 600 r/min, two speed settings, and no additional controller required, the CVK-SC series is ideal for speed control applications that demand more precise performance but require simple control at the same time.

The CVK-SC series speed control stepper motors utilize our latest 5-phase stepper motor technology, allowing for more torque, increased overhung loads, significantly reduced vibration and noise technology. And there is no need for a separate pulse generator or controller as they are both built-in. The CVK-SC series is available in three motor sizes and two driver types with 24 VDC power input.

Oriental Motor

New integrated stepper motors and drives from AutomationDirect

July 17, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

AutomationDirect has added integrated motors and drives to its SureStep line of stepper motion control products. Integrated stepper motor/drives save panel space, require less wiring and are less expensive.

The new SureStep integrated drive/motor units provide accurate micro-stepping position and speed control for smooth motion and step response and require only two components; power supply and integrated stepper motor/drive. Standard motor/drives and advanced motor/drives are available. Existing SureStep systems require four components including power supply, stepper drive, motor extension cable, and motor.

SureStep advanced integrated motor/drives have available torque from 54 to 340 oz-in. and software-selectable resolutions ranging from 200 steps per revolution. The advanced drives can operate with traditional high-speed inputs, but can also be commanded via 0 to 5 V analog input. An internal indexer can accomplish point-to-point moves controlled via ASCII communication.

Free SureMotion Pro drive configuration software is available for Advanced integrated motor/drives (not required for Standard drives) to easily configure and setup the drive, including drive, motion control mode, I/O, and motor. A Status Monitor screen aids in troubleshooting alarms and faults.

SureStep integrated motor/drives start at $97.00.

For more information, visit www.automationdirect.com/integrated-motor-drives.

Oriental Motor 60 W (1/12 hp) right-angle motor joins BMU and BLE2 series brushless motors

July 9, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Oriental Motor now sells an expanded line of its popular BMU and BLE2 Series brushless dc motor with the addition of a new right-angle 60-watt (1/12 HP) model.

The new right-angle 60 watt (1/12 HP) brushless motor uses the BL5 motor and features an IP66 connector. It is combined with a hollow shaft right-angle hypoid JH gearhead, making this new model release the most compact right-angle brushless motor available in the brushless dc motor product group offered by Oriental Motor.

The BL5 brushless motor with this new connector offers IP66 degree of protection and allows for easy and direct connection between the motor and driver with two available orientation of cable outlet direction. The BL5 brushless motor with IP66 connector is also designed to work interchangeably with both the BMU and BLE2 speed controllers. This common BL5 motor design allows for maximum design flexibility.

The JH type hypoid right-angle gearhead offers a maximum rated torque of 138 lb-in. (15.6 N-m) through a stainless steel, metric output shaft with no permissible torque limit and a wide output speed range of 80 to 3,600 rpm.

Added value benefits include space saving features, increase maintenance-free performance, continuous flat torque, stable and wider speed control thanks to the brushless motor design advantage.

To learn more about Oriental Motor’s brushless DC motor speed control system line up, visit this deep link to the dc-motor product page at orientalmotor.com.

Since its founding in Japan in 1885, Oriental Motor has been a world leader in motion control systems. For over a century, we have concentrated on technological advancement and product design improvement — an emphasis evident in the sophisticated devices we market today.