When choosing a motor for an application, consider key differences between each motor’s operation. Stepper motors: Performance positioning Stepper motors work for precise positioning and control with torque. Intermittent moves is what steppers output best. Tip: Don’t use stepper motors for continuous operation. When applications need motors to operate nonstop, steppers exhibit dwindling efficiency and […]
Stepper Motors
Smaller, more flexible stepper motors from Kollmorgen
Kollmorgen introduces its new generation of stepper motors, the PMX series, adding smaller 08, 11, and 14 frame sizes to the traditional 17, 23 and 34 frame size offering. Thanks to a wider range of sizes and options, OEMs now have added flexibility to meet multiple performance and application needs from a single motion source. […]
FAQ: What’s the difference between variable-reluctance linear and hybrid linear steppers?
Linear motors come in different mechanical and electromechanical arrangements to satisfy the requirements of different applications. For example, brushless linear motors (capable of forces to 2,600 N or more) work well in heavy robotics or material-handing applications. Linear ac-induction motors output 2,000 N to satisfy heavy-conveyor parameters. In contrast, iron-core brushless linear motors deliver a […]
FAQ: How do linear stepper motors compare to familiar rotary types?
Stepper motors go into linear actuators in two different ways: Stepper motors that are traditional rotary motors couple to mechanical rotary-to-linear motion devices (often in the form of a threaded shaft that mates with traversing nut or carriage) to produce linear motion. In this actuator setup, the motor output shaft usually couples to the screw […]
FAQ: What is the difference between absolute and incremental encoders?
Rotary encoders track speed and position. Absolute and incremental encoders both do this, but operate differently and have different methods of implementation. Rotary incremental encoders work by generating a series of pulses during movement. The encoder disc (sporting marks or slots) attaches to a power-transmission shaft, and a stationary pickup device mounts nearby. When the […]
FAQ: What are ways to wire an incremental encoder into a motion system?
There are two ways to wire an incremental encoder into a system. One is single-ended wiring and the other is differential wiring. In single-ended wiring, each channel needs only one wire. Channels are any data streams that the encoder produces. For example, a common quadrature encoder has two channels—A and B—to track speed as well […]
FAQ: What do DIP switches on stepper drives do, and what are alternatives?
Dual in-line package or DIP switches are manual electronic switches that, along with other switches in one package, form one unit. They usually mount on printed circuit boards through pins. Some common types of DIP switches include rotary, slider and rocker switches. Through them, end users configure circuit boards or controllers for the application at […]
FAQ: What are motion-control systems on a chip (SoCs) for stepper motor control?
A system on a chip is an integrated circuit that contains all the components of a computer. That is everything from processors, memory and power regulation to external inputs such as USB. For stepper drives, this means one chip combines all the stepper components that are traditionally separate parts. More specifically, the drive, indexer, computer, […]
FAQ: How do engineers typically integrate stepper drives?
Engineers can implement stepper motor drives in numerous ways. Companies often produce pre-packaged drives that can run with a variety of microprocessors and motors. This means that that drive is prefabricated and the engineer has many decisions on where and how to use it. Beyond this, some companies even offer complete off-the-shelf boards. These combine […]
FAQ: What are stepper drives and how do they work?
A stepper drive is the driver circuit that controls how the stepper motor operates. Stepper drives work by sending current through various phases in pulses to the stepper motor. There are four types: wave drives (also called one-phase-on drives), two-phase on, one-two phase-on drives and microstepping drives. Wave or one-phase-on drives work with only one […]