Edited by Zak Khan || Stepper motors like other motors deliver different levels of performance at different temperatures. In fact, most stepper motors are designed to operate at relatively high temperature without issue — even to 90° C in some cases. However, undersized motors are at risk of excessive heat (not to mention sluggish acceleration if […]
Stepper Motors
FAQ: How do I pick torque margin to prevent stepper motor stalls?
Edited by Zak Khan || Torque margin is the amount of extra torque capacity a stepper motor has to ensure successful operation without stepper motor stalls. A sufficient torque margin is critical when a motion design incorporates stepper motors for motion, as in many cases there’s no correction of motion if the motor is temporarily overloaded. Read […]
FAQ: What is closed-loop stepper motor control with step-loss compensation?
Closed-loop stepper-motor control with step-loss compensation is a common performance-boosting algorithm for stepper systems. In one prevalent form of step-loss compensation, an angle sensor or encoder tracks the motor-rotor position and any missed steps. Then the controller records its commands and the actual motor position from the encoder … converting position data to the equivalent […]
New CAD models available for download
Nippon Pulse is pleased to announce that more than 10 new CAD models for the company’s tin-can and hybrid stepper motors are now available for download. These new models will make it easier for manufacturers to determine which motor will best fit their application. PartSolutions created the new 2D and 3D CAD drawings and models […]
OMD18 stepper motor drive and controller mounts easily
The OMD18 is an integrated stepper motor drive and motion controller in one. Through a simple RS485 communications interface the engineer can control a stepper motor with exceptional control and accuracy. Selectable acceleration ramps at velocities up to 2M steps/sec. Selectable step size resolution from full up to 1/16 fractional step. The drive’s small design lets engineers mount […]
Stepper motor or servomotor: Which should it be?
Servomotor and stepper motor technologies are indispensable in today’s mechatronic machine designs. However, clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of both make it easier to identify which is best for a given application. By Hurley Gill • Senior Systems and Application Engineer| Kollmorgen If a given motion task can be done with either a […]
STR3 miniature stepper drive solves vibration, size problems
The STR3 miniature stepper drive from Applied Motion Products solves two problems in one: The step motor drive addresses the problem of slow step motors that vibrate too much … … and it addresses space-constrained applications where bulkier drives just won’t fit. The STR3 utilizes a proprietary current control algorithm that optimizes motor performance, providing smooth […]
Electric motor miniaturization, connectivity, and customization
Updated November 2019 ⚙️ Leading trends in electric motors for motion designs are migration to custom solutions; heightening emphasis on efficiency; and (where suitable) more use of motors that allow for miniaturization (with power-dense designs) and connectivity for IoT capabilities. “As reshoring picks up steam, we see more mass-customization,” said Scott Evans, director of product […]
Two positioning components speed OEM product development
by Robert Gloeckner, Advanced Engineering Group, MICROMO Innovative components help OEMs revolutionize designs. In fact, some original equipment can now benefit from zero-backlash actuators and integrated gearhead encoders. These give designers multiple options for demanding applications. Performance, cost and size requirements for motion applications vary widely. In some cases, performance trumps all and the budget […]
How are servo motors physically different from motors that run open loop?
A servo motor is, by definition, one that runs closed-loop, with feedback to control the motor’s position, speed, or torque. Of motors that run open-loop, with no feedback device, stepper motors are the most common type. Despite their different control mechanisms, stepper and servo motors have a few characteristics in common. First, they both have […]