According to P&S market research , the global stepper motor market is expected to exceed US$ 2.55 billion in 2023 , driven by the growing demand for micro motors due to mechanization and technological innovation, as well as competitive growth due to the cost-effectiveness of stepper servo systems .
For applications that do not require high-performance servo motors, stepper motors have always held a place in the field of automation equipment due to their lower price and high torque output for their size. However, stepper motors have several disadvantages, including the need for tedious testing to avoid resonance areas and the difficulty in selection due to a lack of effective feedback.
However, in recent years, this disadvantage has been effectively mitigated by the development of " stepper servo " technology. " Stepper servo, " often referred to as " closed-loop stepper control , " is based on highly adaptable current regulation and control signal feedback. Similar to the control method of a servo motor, it detects the rotor position through encoder signals and generates a corresponding sinusoidal current in the motor windings. Vector control of the magnetic field ensures that the stator's magnetic field direction is always perpendicular to the rotor's magnetic field, while the magnetic field strength precisely corresponds to the required torque. Compared to a servo motor of the same size, when the speed is maintained at 20%-50% of its rated speed , the continuous torque obtained by a stepper servo motor is theoretically 2 to 3 times that of a servo motor. Furthermore, due to the low price of stepper motors, stepper servo systems are an ideal and economical alternative to servo motors.
The SSDC full closed-loop stepper servo system, launched by Shanghai Mingzhi at the end of 2018, is a high-performance, intelligent bus stepper servo drive system. It supports traditional pulse control and can also control the driver and motor in real time through SCL commands, Modbus , CANopen , eSCL commands, EtherNet/IP or EtherCAT protocols. It can also store motion control programs in the driver in advance ( Q program) and then flexibly call them through various bus communication commands.
The Mingzhi SSDC fully closed-loop stepper servo system already supports multiple closed-loop control modes, covering some of the original servo applications.
Closed-loop servo mode
Achieve closed-loop control of position, speed, and current. Precise position and speed control to meet demanding application requirements; real-time current adjustment based on actual load conditions; highly robust servo control adaptable to a wide range of inertial and frictional load variations.
Closed-loop stepping mode
Achieve closed-loop position control. Highly user-friendly, requires no parameter tuning, exhibits no chattering when stationary, and prevents stalling. The closed-loop stepping mode is suitable for specialized applications with stringent requirements regarding vibration control.
Full closed-loop mode -- dual-path position feedback
It supports dual position feedback: one channel connects to the motor encoder position feedback, and the other can connect to the load-side position feedback, avoiding position errors caused by mechanical errors in the transmission mechanism and achieving precise position control. Load position feedback supports: single-ended or differential incremental encoders and linear encoders.
Mingzhi SSDC stepper servo systems have become a new choice for medical applications, and are widely used in equipment such as surgical instruments, exhaust fans, medical pumps, X- ray machines and blood analyzers. At the same time, demand in the packaging and labeling industry will continue to grow.
