Stepper Drives

Stepper drives are power electronics devices that convert the step and direction signals from a control unit into adjustable current applied to the windings of a stepper motor in sequence. They are connected between a PLC, CNC unit or motion card and the motor and are used to drive machine axes; the pulse frequency determines the motor's speed and the number of pulses determines the amount of rotation. This category includes GMT current-adjustable drives that work with 4- or 8-wire motors; output currents such as 4.2 A and 5.6 A, models with 24-48 V DC and 24-60 V DC input, models supplied with AC voltage, and a model that drives two motors together with a 0-10 V analog speed reference are listed. Choose the drive according to the output current that meets the motor's phase current, whether your supply is AC or DC and its voltage, the number of wires of the motor, the microstep setting, the alarm output and the protection functions. The feature that automatically reduces current when the motor is at rest lowers winding heating. A stepper drive only drives stepper motors; it does not replace the frequency inverter used with asynchronous motors or a servo drive.

Products

How to choose Stepper Drives

Stepper drives are power electronics devices that convert the step and direction signals from a control unit into adjustable current applied to the windings of a stepper motor in sequence. They are connected between a PLC, CNC unit or motion card and the motor and are used to drive machine axes; the pulse frequency determines the motor's speed and the number of pulses determines the amount of rotation.

  • Separate sensing, motion control, logic processing and operator interface requirements.
  • Select signal type, supply voltage, communication protocol and I/O count for the machine network.
  • Verify housing size, sensing distance and PNP/NPN output polarity against the PLC input card.

Frequently asked questions

What is Stepper Drives and where is it used?

Stepper drives are power electronics devices that convert the step and direction signals from a control unit into adjustable current applied to the windings of a stepper motor in sequence. They are connected between a PLC, CNC unit or motion card and the motor and are used to drive machine axes; the pulse frequency determines the motor's speed and the number of pulses determines the amount of rotation.

What should I compare when choosing Stepper Drives?

Choose the drive according to the output current that meets the motor's phase current, whether your supply is AC or DC and its voltage, the number of wires of the motor, the microstep setting, the alarm output and the protection functions.

Where can I find technical details for Stepper Drives products?

A stepper drive only drives stepper motors; it does not replace the frequency inverter used with asynchronous motors or a servo drive.

Stepper Motor Systems Selection Guide: Technical Criteria and Engineering Practice