This White Paper will explain the three methods that are used to close the feedback loop around stepper motors in a control system. … [Read more...]
Stepper Motor Linear Actuators 101
With trends towards miniaturization, precision, computer control and cost reduction, hybrid and can-stack style integrated stepper motor actuators are being used in an ever increasing range of applications. These precise, reliable actuators can be found in many applications including blood … [Read more...]
How to Prevent Step Losses with Stepper Motors
While stepper motors are an excellent solution for many applications, a key concern is step losses. However, in most instances step losses can be prevented or corrected. It is important to remember that a stepper motor does not operate like a DC motor. There is no working point parameterization, … [Read more...]
Stepper Motor Drives Some Factors That Will Help Determine Proper Selection
This white paper will discuss methods of selecting the best Stepper Drive for motion control applications requiring a Stepper Motor or a Stepper-Based Linear Actuator; information about the typical types of Drives; effects of different applied voltage levels; and of various Drive settings / options … [Read more...]
Stepper Motors and the Effect of Acceleration and Deceleration Ramps
This white paper explains stand test methodology for generating force versus velocity curves and the benefits of adding acceleration and deceleration ramps. One of the first parameters that is considered when choosing a stepper motor based linear actuator for an application is how much force can the … [Read more...]
When to Apply External, Non-Captive and Captive Step Motor Actuators
A common way to generate precise linear motion is to use an electric motor (rotary motion) and pair it with a leadscrew to generate a linear actuation system. Depending upon what this linear actuator interfaces with it can be constructed in a number of different ways. This white paper will explain … [Read more...]
Closed-Loop Stepper Motor Performance Gains
Modern motion controllers can include the ability to run stepper motors with encoder feedback, resulting in true closed-loop motion control. This mode of motor control is very similar to standard three-phase brushless servo motor control, where the three phases are offset 120 electrical degrees. … [Read more...]
Microstepping: Myths and Realities
The lure of Microstepping a two-phase stepper motor is compelling. Visions of Microstepping a 1.8-degree hybrid stepper motor with 256 microsteps per full step flash in your mind. The resolution of 51,200 microsteps per revolution entices you. You’re glad you don’t own stock in high-resolution … [Read more...]
Comparing Efficiency and Capabilities of Hybrid Stepper Motor Actuators to Can Stack Stepper Motor Actuators
Occasionally we receive calls from customers wanting to know why our size 17 hybrid linear actuator with an input wattage rating of 7 watts has better performance than our 46000 can stack version with an input rating of 10 watts? The answer to this is the efficiency of the motor itself. The average … [Read more...]
Implementation of Redundancy in a Miniature Stepper Motor
Some of the recent research activities in the area of electric motor drives for critical applications (such as aerospace and nuclear power plants) are focused on looking at various fault tolerant motor and drive topologies. After discussing different solutions, this paper focuses on a miniature PM … [Read more...]