Society of Robots - Robot Forum
Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: alexander on April 27, 2008, 10:35:20 AM
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Hi.
Sorry for my stupid question (and my horrible english).
Are stepper motors "dead"? I'm seeing a lot of projects using servo motors and none using stepper motors.
Why? Is it more easy to control servo motors (I'm waiting my first at this week ...)?
What advantages have stepper motors against servo motors?
[]'s
Alexander
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
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check hobby-level CNC machines.
stepper motors are easier to control and manage, open-loop, as terminlogy puts it. you give a pulse to the driver, coils energize in a different pattern (levels if ustep), motor turns a fixed number, feedback is rarely needed.
at a servo mechanism, you energize the coil, check where the motor axle is, and depending on where you need it to go, lower current into the coil or change direction.
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Servos are an all in one package. Just supply voltage and send a pulse signal. So they are easier to use at any level.
Stepper motors require a little more circuitry and understanding (stepper motor driver circuits), but can be much more precise and provide more torque.
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steppers are heavey,,more expensive,,
steppers can be more precise,,allows precise steps,,
nothng is dead :)
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Hmmm I think alexander has a good point, steppers are rarely used at all because of the reasons benji just mentioned . . . I honestly have never used a stepper because servos have always been the better choice for my particular applications.
The advantage of a stepper over a servo is that it can rotate significantly faster, offer more torque, and rotate continuously with good precision.