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Learn What is Stepper Motor and How it Works - A Comprehensive Guide

Ever thought about how most machines achieve repetitive yet accurate results? Explore the mechanism behind this, What the is Stepper Motor and how it works.



November 15, 2024


Machines and devices are a part of our daily lives and we often observe the tiny and precise movements happening inside them. For instance, the printer places the ink perfectly where it needs to be. 

These precise movements rely on a special type of motor called the stepper motor. Stepper motors move in exact, click-like steps, which makes them perfect to move something with accuracy. Moreover, this compact motor plays a vital role in various industries. Read the article and learn more about the stepper motor and how it works. 


What Is A Stepper Motor? 

A stepper motor moves in small steps rather than rotating continuously like a traditional motor. This motor is a type of brushless synchronous DC electric motor, also called a ‘step motor’ or ‘stepping motor’.

The stepper motor transforms electrical pulses into accurate mechanical motions through electromechanical means. This motor moves in discrete steps, allowing for accurate control over position, speed, and rotation. Each step moves through fixed degrees or angles of rotation. Mostly, it is 200 steps, and the motor has to send a separate pulse for every step.

Moreover, the stepper motor can take only one step at a time and every step has the same size. Also, it doesn’t need a feedback sensor to maintain its position, which results in an open-loop control. 

The basic components of a stepper motor include a rotor, a stator, and a series of coils. A rotor is the rotating part, and a stator is the stationary part. The rotor has teeth or magnetic poles, and the stator has multiple coils arranged around the rotor. These coils are energized in a specific sequence to generate magnetic fields that interact with the rotor, causing it to move in a controlled manner.

Therefore, the highly accurate control property of the stepper motor makes it an invaluable tool for various industrial and consumer applications where precise motion control is important. 

stepping motors

How Does A Stepper Motor Work?  

The stepper motor functions on the principle of electromagnetism, where the interaction between magnetic fields generates motion. Inside a stepper motor, there is a rotor made with a permanent magnet and a stator made with electromagnets containing coils. 

When electrical current flows through the coils in the stator, they generate magnetic fields. Then, magnetic fields interact with the permanent magnets in the rotor, causing it to rotate step by step. The rotation angle of the rotor matches the number of electrical pulses applied, which makes stepper motors precise and controllable.


Stepping Modes Of Stepper Motor: 

Stepper motors operate in three main stepping modes;

  • Full-Step Mode: It moves one step at a time, providing basic positioning control.

  • Half-Step Mode: It divides each step into two smaller steps, effectively doubling the motor's resolution. 

  • Micro Stepping Mode: It further subdivides each step into even smaller increments, providing smoother motion and finer control over positioning.


Stepper Motor Circuit: 

To drive a stepper motor, a control circuit is necessary to generate the electrical pulses and manage the sequence of energizing the coils. This control circuit can take various forms, ranging from simple driver circuits to more complex microcontroller-based systems, depending on the application's requirements.

The control circuit receives input signals that dictate the desired direction and speed of rotation, translating them into the appropriate sequence of pulses to drive the motor accordingly. 

stepping motor

How To Select The Right Stepper Motor? 

To select the right stepper motor, it is important to determine the unique requirements of your application. Most importantly, examine the torque-speed curve of the motor as it should match the requirements of your application. 

You can find this information from the manufacturer and the graphic symbol of the torque of the motor at a particular speed. Whether you’re looking for a custom stepper motor solution or want an experienced supplier, you can trust Smooth Motor without thinking twice!

Smooth Motor is a reputable manufacturer, based in China, with over 30 years of experience in producing and exporting stepper motors. They specialize in providing customized motion solutions tailored to various industries, like robotics, automation, medical equipment, and aerospace. 

They offer a wide range of motors, including stepper motors, linear stepper motors, can stack motors, and voice coil motors. Each product is designed to deliver precision and performance, based on advanced motion solutions, ensuring quality, reliability, and customer-centric approaches. 


Final Thoughts: 

Stepper motor may seem small, but its impact on technology and automation is huge. They're good at moving things right, which is important for lots of stuff we use every day. Moreover, the stepper motor is reliable, simple, and low maintenance, which makes it a top choice for any business. 

Now, you have an idea about what exactly the stepper motor is and how it works. So, if you need to control the movement of your next project, you better know what to use!



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