Stepper Motors: An 8-Point Guide

A stepper motor based system provides a simple, low-cost method of motion control. However, successful use stepper motion control is highly application dependent. Here are eight general points of application guidance:

1. Stepper motors are physically limited to under 1 kW output power.

2. Useful torque production drops off rapidly with motor speed; so limit speeds to 3,000 rpm or less as a rule of thumb.

3. Stepper motors offer excellent position holding,without “dithering” as in servo motors.

4. When properly sized for the driven load, step motors produce little velocity ripple while executing a motion profile

5. If properly sized, steppers supply repeatable motion and positioning.

6. Stepper motors typically run without a feedback device, hence add reliability to a system

7. Stepper motors are less costly than servo motors

8. In a multi-axis machine application, some of the motion axes may be better suited to stepper control and some to servo motor control; newer drives and controllers can accommodate both motor types.