Glossary

Motor which moves or controls something by transforming energy into motion. There are three versions – captive (anti-rotation protected), non-captive (not anti-rotation protected), and external (external translating nut).

Interface, which transmitts encoder signals to the engine control

Baseboards support the functionalities of stepper and DC motors to create a complete intelligent motion control system.

Brushless direct current motor
Advantages: speed/high RPM operation

Serial bus system for networking in devices or vehicles

Open communication protocoll for networking in devices, based on CAN

3D-printed plastic cap for protecting the control, mountable onto a stepper motor, with control-specific sections in order for the plugs to be freely accessible

Motors are referred to as either closed loop or open loop. Closed loop means that data flows both to the motor and back to the controller, whereas open loop only flows one way. This means that as a closed loop stepper motor system spins, adjustments can be made if there are imperfections in the motor’s operation, such if the motor is given a load that is too large or if the motor is stopped altogether. This way, the controller can attempt to correct these irregularities so that velocity, torque or position can be maintained despite an error.

Closed plastic case for a control unit or the electronics of a PANdrive

System for measuring the position of a motor independent from the position counter of the motor control

Modern fieldbus interface based on IP technology, which was initially developed by the company Beckhoff. It is mostly used in larger units or devices.

Technology, which uses current regulation to regulate the torque of 3-phase motors and stepper motors.

Closed, 3D printed plastic cap, which is mounted onto the stepper motor, with a lateral, outward cable

Housing for a complete PANdrive (encloses the control and the motor)

(x=flange/width                                                                                               y=length)

Using a horizontal pin header or assembly

Magnetic system for determining the rotor position inside the motor, can also -to a limited amount- be used as a position valuator.

The maximum force a stepper motor can yield while current is applied

Intelligent compact stepper motion control by mocontronic:
intelligent, programmable controller
compact by using newest chip technology, no cooling nessessary

Metal cap for the protection of the control, mountable onto the stepper motor

Microstepping is a technology, which enables stepper motor drives to be controlled by a sinusoidal current waveform. This is achieved by the divide of full steps into smaller “microsteps”.

Motion control without feedback assumes motors always behave as expected. Under common conditions, the motor position of the motor is deterministic and predictable. To cover uncommon conditions, the motor needs to be operated with safety margins, which can reduce efficiency and overall performance.

Established serial interface for the networking of controls in devices and machines

Metal housing for a control unit         x=max. inner length

Motors work through the pushing and pulling of magnets or magnetic surfaces with the help of an electromagnetic field. In a standard AC or DC motor this electric field can pulsate multiple times per rotation, which makes the motion efficient, effective and reliable, even at high speeds.

Stepper motors, on the other hand side, work through a magnetic push and pull of gearwheels in very small steps. These gearwheels do not pulsate two to eight times per rotation, but more than a hundred times, which results in a motion that is quite slow, but in return very high-torque and highly precise. Standard motors can also perform this kind of operation, but only through the use of bulky, inefficient and complex gears. Essentially, every operation that is easy to perform by hand, is a perfect task for an automation with a stepper motor.

The most common applications are linear drives, mirror-, lense- or camera mounts, liquid handling systems, intelligent lighting, solar panel orientation, scanners, printers, plotters, 3D printers and CNC machines.

Standard motors do have some advantages though. They are, for instance, very easy to handle and do not need complex controls. Additionally, they work independently of the position of the magnetic field inside the motor. That means, if there is a laod too heavy for the standard motor, there will always be a resistace, even if the motor runs in the opposite direction. If the teeth of a motor are misaligned due to an overly high load it loses the ability to apply force. But there is a solution for this issue. Many of the controllers that we build contain a safety mechanism that detains the system of supplying too much power to the motor. Basically, it works like a sensor, that detects the load limit of the motor and prevents the limit from being exceeded. Therefore, it is secured that the motor stays oriented, active and precise.

If you have any questions regarding stepper motors, stepper motor controls or equivalent applications, please contact us and we will be glad to consult you and to answer your questions.

Using a vertical pin header or assembly