How do stepper motors work?
The stepper motor's operating mechanism is relatively simple. The stepper motor is a brushless motor powered by pulse voltage. The stepper motor shaft does not rotate continuously as is the case with most types of electric motors. Shaft revolutions are discrete and its individual steps correspond to revolutions by the same number of angular degrees. Stepper motor with a resolution of 200 steps (1 full revolution of the shaft), a single step corresponds to a rotation of 1.80 °. The stator of the stepper motor consists of grouped windings to which voltage pulses are successively applied. A single voltage impulse applied to the winding from the control system causes the rotor to turn one step.
As we pointed out earlier, stepper motors have many uses. One of them is the use of this type of device for Arduino or Raspberry Pi programmable electronics. By connecting the stepper motor to Arduino through the motor controller, you can programmatically set such motor operating parameters as rotational speed, acceleration or the angular position of the rotor!
How to choose a stepper motor right? Technical parameters
A stepper motor is an electric motor that is characterized by a pulsed electric current supply. It is this property of the motor that makes its rotor not rotate continuously, but always performs a motion with a predetermined angle of rotation. When choosing a stepper motor, it is imperative to consider a number of specialized technical factors.
The first most important criterion for selecting an engine is its required sequence of the most frequently performed movements in terms of quantity in time and angle of rotation. The time required to reach the specified motor shaft position and acceleration and deceleration between zero and maximum rpm is critical. Therefore, for the proper and safe functioning of the structure, the stepper motor should also be selected in terms of parameters such as step resolution, motor torque, acceleration torque and shaft loads.
Additionally, take into account the geometrical dimensions of the engine when choosing. Pay attention to such technical parameters as the spacing of the mounting holes. Unlike unipolar motors, bipolar motors have each winding equipped with a middle tapping, so the torque can be higher. Usually stepper motors work in open-loop feedback systems. For applications where increased confidence is required, stepper motors operate in a closed-loop feedback loop that uses a sensor to keep track of the motor shaft position.
Stepper motors for various projects
The stepper motors offered here by the Botland store are available in various sizes and operating parameters. Here you will find products that differ in terms of rated supply voltage and torques, as well as in terms of many other technical parameters. Due to the fact that we offer a lot of products, you are able to reliably choose the stepper motor that will work best in your DIY project, e.g. building your own walking robot.
Of course, stepper motors are also used professionally. Such components are successfully used in CNC machines and power tools for manual, precise material processing, as well as in hard drives, clocks, printers, two-dimensional plotters, engraving machines, laser heads and equipment for scientific research. Thinking about business clients, we have enriched our offer with the most advanced stepper motors. Get to know them all now!