What is a stepper motor, what are its advantages?

The stepper motor is an electromechanical device that converts an electric pulse into a discrete mechanical movement. This mechanism is practically no different from other electric motors. Often, the device of this part includes a stepper motor controller, shaft and terminals. All this is combined into a large round (rarely rectangular) body.

Application area

Stepper motor can be used in a wide variety of industries. Most often, such motors are found on industrial equipment and electronic office devices, such as fax machines, printers and disk drives.

Now several types of these engines are produced, so that it works correctly, each mechanism must choose its own scheme and the principle of the driver.

Benefits

First, the stepping motor is very reliable in operation. This is due to the fact that in its design there are no graphite brushes, which are often used in automobile generators and have a short service life. Control of the stepper motor is carried out by bearings, so how much they will work, so much will the engine be working. Secondly, this mechanism is characterized by positioning without feedback. This is achieved due to the dependence of the position of the part on the input pulses. Thirdly, the stepper motor is one of the few devices that provide a quick start, stop and reversal of the entire system. In this case, the motor provides the full torque in the stop mode. Also this motor is characterized by precision repeatability and positioning. Modern engines operate with an accuracy of 3-4 percent of the step size, and the error does not accumulate during their work from step to step.

disadvantages

There are a lot of disadvantages to this device, but less than advantages. Of the main drawbacks, it should be noted that fact that these motors are characterized by the phenomenon of resonance. They can also lose control of position due to the operation without feedback. At high speeds, the stepping motor is not very efficient, although in normal operation it does not differ in power. By the way, even without being under load, it still absorbs electricity, and in the same amount as before when working. Due to the complex control circuit, this device is difficult to repair on its own.

What is the difference between a stepper motor and servomotors?

Do not confuse these two mechanisms. Despite the fact that both have a similar device and the principle of operation, in many respects they differ among themselves. The main difference is that the stepping motor can provide 1 rotor revolution in a number of steps. In this case, this device is characterized by its smoothness and synchronous rotation. Servomotors have in their design special feedback sensors that determine the speed and position of the device for the control system. As it is provided here a resolver or an encoder.