Stepper motor knowledge

1. How to choose a motor?
Step angle: Calculate the required step angle, which is the angle at which the motor rotates each time it receives a pulse.
Speed range: Determine the ideal speed range, including the minimum and maximum speed requirements.
Torque output: Estimate the required torque output to meet the load requirements of the application.
Motor size: Determine the external size limitations of the motor to ensure compatibility with the application space.

2. What is the difference between open-loop motors and closed-loop motors?
Open loop motor: No encoder (Open loop stepper motor is an open-loop control method. As long as the control signal is synchronously sent from the motor controller to the motor driver, the motor controller can control the motor's movement according to the set pulse signal frequency and pulse width.)
Closed loop motor: With an encoder, an encoder cable is required (For closed-loop stepper motors, feedback components such as an encoder are added to the stepper motor driver to enable the motor controller to more accurately grasp the motor's rotation amount and speed, thereby more accurately controlling the motor's rotation.)
Brake type: Electric motor with braking function
Drive control integrated stepper motor: also known as integrated stepper motor driver, is a device that combines the functions of stepper motor drive and controller. Integrated stepper motor controllers usually have simple interfaces and connection methods. Users only need to connect the controller to the motor through a few wires, without the need for complex debugging and settings. They are widely used in multiple fields such as robots, automation equipment, printers, etc.

3. How to choose a drive?
Stepper drivers are devices used to control the rotation of stepper motors, mainly divided into two types: bus type and pulse type.
Pulse type driver: This type of driver controls the rotation of the stepper motor based on the pulse or square wave signal emitted by the control system. This control method is relatively simple and can be adapted to most controllers. It only requires the controller to have a high-speed pulse output function to be used, and the operation is relatively simple.Bus type driver: This type of driver controls the rotation of the stepper motor through a bus method. Bus type drivers can not only transmit data signals, but also control signals, achieving synchronous control of multiple devices. In the control of large-scale industrial automation production lines, bus type drivers are more flexible and convenient than single pulse type drivers. Currently, common supported communication protocols include Modbus, Ethercat, Can, etc
IO type driver: No need to connect to the upper computer, it can be easily wired to achieve simple control.