Designer’s Corner Enhanced—Step Motor Selection Made Easier

Santa Clara, CA—May 2007—Lin Engineering, the Step Motor Specialists, are pleased to introduce an enhanced version of their patent pending online step motor selection tool: Designer’s Corner.  In just 3 easy steps, Designer’s Corner will select a motor that will work within your application specifications.  Users now have the ability to enter data based on one of the most common applications below:

1. Conveyer Belt
2. Lead Screw
3. Direct Drive
4. Rack & Pinion

Designer’s Corner is available free of charge at www.linengineering.com.  Best of all there is no software to download; just a simple registration process is required in order to use this innovative tool. After your motor is selected, you can request a quote from a Customer Service Professional.  For a limited time only, the first motor you select using Designer’s Corner can be requested at no charge.    

Configurable 3D Models Now Available

Santa Clara, CA—October 2006—Lin Engineering, the Step Motor Specialists, are pleased to introduce configurable 3D Models of their 3609, 416, 417, and 4109 series of step motors.  With just a few simple clicks you can:

• Customize Front Shaft Length
• Customize Front Shaft Diameter
• Add a Flat
• Add a Rear Shaft

The configurable 3D models can then be downloaded in a wide variety of file types including Solid Works, Pro E, and Inventor.  Best of all, the 3D models can easily be implemented in your existing design saving you significant development time.  Be sure to check back often as more Lin Engineering step motors will be added.  To try online, please click here and register

SilverPak 23CE- Powerful All-in-One Solution

Lin Engineering, The Step Motor Specialists, are pleased to release the new SilverPak 23CE: an integrated NEMA 23 high torque step motor, microstepping driver, intelligent controller, and digital encoder all in one compact yet sleek unit.

The SilverPak 23CE is available in three body lengths: 3.41”, 3.85” and 4.78” and is capable of up to 294 oz-in of holding torque depending on the stack size of the motor.  The unit is capable of up to 3 Amps Peak of output current, operates from +12 to 40 VDC, and can reach speeds of 16.7MHz. Some of the fully programmable features include but are not limited to: stand alone operation with no connection to a PC; fully programmable ramps and speeds; software selectable hold and move currents; up to 256x microstepping resolution settings; and four user configurable digital I/O’s. Commands, which can be issued from the Windows® HyperTerminal® program, Lab View and Visual Basic, are intuitive yet simple and can be preset to execute upon power up.

The SilverPak 23CE offers an added benefit in having a digital encoder being placed inside the main unit.  Not only does this allow for more convenient use, but the overall size of the SilverPak is also reduced as well.  The built-in encoder allows for instant encoder feedback and is available with the following options: tracks up to 100,000 cycles/sec; 32 to 1024 CPR; max pps 4096; 2 channel quadrature TTL squarewave single ended outputs and optional index (3rd channel).

Please visit the company website at www.linengineering.com for more technical specifications as well as downloadable SilverPak 23CE quick reference guides, application programming examples and product manual.

Visualizing Step Motor Differences

In the motion control industry, there is a wide variety of uses for step motors.  To accommodate for these uses, step motors are manufactured in various sizes and mechanical specifications.  In terms of size, step motor manufacturers adhere to various NEMA frame sizes.  These sizes range from the miniature NEMA 8 to the large NEMA 42.  Each of these motors, in turn, has its own distinct performance characteristics.  Smaller motors such as the NEMA 8 or 11, for instance, are meant for high speed applications that don’t require a lot of torque.  Larger motors such as the NEMA 34 or 42, on the other hand, are beneficial for applications that require high torque at slower speeds.

Mechanically the difference between step motors will exist within the motor. This difference will determine whether a motor will operate at either a .9 degree or 1.8 degree step angle.  As is the case with frame size, users will choose their step motor based on their specific needs.  A .9 degree motor would be better for applications that require high accuracy and a 1.8 degree motor for more torque.  Lin Engineering has even developed a motor with a .45 degree step angle for high precision applications as well as applications requiring smooth motion.  Considering these performance tradeoffs when choosing a motor is very important.

Traditionally the main difference between one step motor vs. another would have something to do with its given frame size, step angle, and the specific motor manufacturer’s capabilities.  Some manufacturers, such as Lin Engineering, are willing to go a lot further for their customers and create custom motors based on the need of the specific user.

Different capabilities of step motor manufacturers, i.e. engineering, design and product expertise will have an effect on the types of customizations that a motor manufacturer is able to produce.  Not all step motors are created equally and it is important to note that the same goes for motor manufacturers as well.  While some are able to create various types of customizations, others might be limited.   The following will discuss three types of step motors that one manufacturer, Lin Engineering, is able to produce. 

At Lin Engineering, engineers are faced with a wide variety of step motor applications for various industries.  These industries include: Avionics, medical equipment, surveillance, semiconductor, engraving, packaging, and so forth and each come with their own specific requirements.  Engineers at Lin Engineering have characterized these broad requirements into three distinct categories:

1. Traditional or Standard-    motors that are routinely manufactured and can in essence be purchased as an “off the shelf” type of product.
                                        
2. Modified- motors that require minimal to moderate customizations such as a special shaft, housing, connectors, or special materials
                                        
                                        
3. Ultra Custom- motors that require a substantial amount of engineering time and expertise
                                        

Traditional or Standard

Traditional motors are selected by users for various reasons.  Whether it’s because of a size constraint or requirement for high torque or accuracy, standard motors ranging from NEMA 8 to NEMA 34 are available. Lin Engineering’s NEMA 17, 0.9 degree 417 motor, for example, is normally used  in applications where high accuracy and smooth motion is a must. 

Other standard motors are chosen due to simple applications such as the need to move a small mirror in precise increments of 60 degrees with a small size constraint. In this case Lin Engineering’s 3609Z motor would be the ideal motor.  Not onlyis this motor a mere .47” thick, it is capable of high step accuracy and able to fit in a wide variety of customer supplied housings.  Examples can be seen at http://www.linengineering.com/site/products/customdesign.html#custom2

Customers requiring high speeds with sufficient torque would need a NEMA 23 or NEMA 34 step motor.  Simple applications such as spinning a centrifuge at 33 RPS for 5 minutes at a time will require a standard 1.8 degree motor. A perfect fit would be Lin’s 5718X.

Modified

Modified motors are any standard motors that need some type of minimal to moderate customization.  These changes can include various shaft options, special connectors, or even the use of special materials or handling to ensure their operation
in sensitive environments.  Lin’s IP65 motor, for example, is dust proof and can withstand certain levels of contact with water.  This motor would be ideal for any application where the motor would be in danger of corroding due to minimal contact with water.  If the application requires a submersible motor, Lin Engineering’s IPX7 rated step motors can do the job.  These motors are made to withstand immersion into liquids in depths of 15cm to 1m for time periods of up to 30 minutes. 

Other modifications such as special cabling  or connectors can be easily done by Lin
Engineering.  This NEMA 23 motor required that the wires exit on the front of the motor along with a DB-9 connector. 

Ultra Custom

Ultra custom motors require a lot of engineering time and expertise.  These motors are specifically developed for various types of applications.  Whether the application is for the space industry, in avionics, or in an environment with extreme needs, Lin can help.

Fast, Reliable, & Cost Effective: NEMA 17 Brushless DC

Lin Engineering is pleased to announce the release of their new line of NEMA 17 Brushless DC (BLDC) motors.  These motors are best for applications where high speed and high dynamic torque are a must for the user’s application.

Lin’s NEMA 17 BLDC’s provide extremely quiet and smooth operation regardless of speed range, although the optimal performance speed range is 300RPM to 3000RPM.  These are also great for those who prefer velocity control with an analog input, do not need holding torque and may be having reliability issues with an existing Brush DC motor.  BLDC’s are also a good choice for applications that do not have a lot of power and require a higher efficiency motor.

Lin’s NEMA 17 BLDC’s are available in four stack lengths: 1.61”, 2.40”, 3.19”, and 3.94”.  Depending upon the stack length, these motors are able to produce up to 106 oz-in of peak torque. 

For more information on the NEMA 17 BLDC motors available through Lin Engineering, please contact us at 408-919-0200 or sales@linengineering.com

Q: Can we damage one of your step motors by continuing to run the drive after the motor has stalled?-  From Dale of Wheeling, IL

A: Hi Dale,
No the step motor will not be damaged if you continue to run the drive after the motor has stalled.  That’s the beauty of step motors.  Current is continuously changing from step to step and the driver simply continues to send those different current increments, so nothing will burn (neither motor nor drive).

Q: How fast can I run my step motor? – Mark, Miami, FL

A: Hi Mark,
Most stepper motors are designed for speeds of around 3000 RPM or less.  Once you get into higher speeds, Brushless DC’s or Servo’s are normally used.

Q: What are the advantages of using step motors?  Susan- Indianapolis, IN

A: Hi Susan,

Although steppers can’t be used in every motion control application, there are many advantages to using them; some are listed below:

• Speed can be easily determined and controlled by remembering that speed equals steps per revolution divided by pulse rate.
• A step motor can make fine incremental moves.
• A step motor doesn't require encoder feed back ( Open loop ) .
• Fast acceleration capability
• Non-cumulative positioning error
• Excellent low speed/high torque characteristics without gear reduction
• Holding torque of the step motor can be used to hold loads in stationary position without over heating.
• Ability to operate on a wide speed range