1.Simple definition of pancake stepper motor
Pancake stepper motor is a special motor that controls the motor step by electric pulse. Its structure is similar to that of DC motor, mainly composed of stator, rotor, end cover, rotor shaft, front and rear plates and stator coil. Pancake stepper motor can convert electric pulse signal into corresponding angular displacement or linear displacement. For each input pulse signal, the rotor rotates an angle or moves forward. The output angular displacement or linear displacement is proportional to the input pulse number, and the speed is proportional to the pulse frequency.
2.Driving mode of pancake stepper motor
1.Single voltage drive: In this mode, only one direction voltage is used to power the winding during the operation of the motor winding. When the input signal is high, a sufficiently large base current is provided to make the transistor in saturation state, and the power supply voltage acts on the motor winding. When the input signal is low, the transistor is cut off and no current passes through the winding. The advantages of single voltage drive are simple circuit structure, few components, low cost and high reliability, but the power consumption is increased and the efficiency is low, which is suitable for driving low-power stepper motors.
2.High and low voltage drive: In order to make the winding quickly reach the set current when powered on, and the winding current quickly decays to zero when turned off, while maintaining high efficiency, a high and low voltage drive method is adopted. This drive method uses high voltage power supply at the front edge of conduction to increase the front edge rise rate of the current, and uses low voltage to maintain the current of the winding after the front edge. High and low voltage drive can obtain better high-frequency characteristics, but the control circuit is more complex than single voltage, and the reliability is reduced. Once the high-voltage tube is out of control, the motor may be damaged.
3.Constant current chopper drive method: This drive method converts the current value of the stepper motor winding into a certain proportion of voltage, compares it with the preset value output by the D/A converter, and controls the power tube. The constant current chopper drive method combines the advantages of high and low voltage drive and single voltage drive, and achieves efficient and stable drive by precisely controlling the current. It is suitable for application scenarios that require high-precision control.
3.Application scope of pancake stepper motors
1.Mechanical industry: Stepper motors are widely used in the mechanical industry, especially in situations where precise position control is required, such as automated production lines, precision instruments, etc.
Electronic industry: In the electronics industry, stepper motors are used in various automated equipment and precision instruments, such as ATM machines, inkjet printers, engraving machines, etc., to ensure the precise operation and efficient work of the equipment.
2.Textile industry: Stepper motors are also widely used in textile machinery and equipment, especially in computer embroidery machines and other equipment. This type of motor has the characteristics of low holding torque, fast response speed for frequent starting, and low operating noise, making the operation of textile machinery more stable and efficient.
3.Medical industry: Stepper motors also play an important role in medical equipment. For example, in medical instruments and equipment, stepper motors can provide precise position control to ensure the accuracy and safety of medical processes.
4.Office automation: In the field of office automation, stepper motors are widely used in copiers, printers and other equipment to provide precise position control and ensure the stable operation of equipment.
5.Industrial control systems: In industrial control systems, stepper motors can provide precise position and speed control and are widely used in various automation equipment and production lines.
6.Robotics: In robotics, stepper motors provide precise position control, allowing robots to complete complex movements and tasks.
4.Difficulties currently faced by pancake stepper motors.
The main technical challenges faced by pancake stepper motors include:
1.Insufficient technological innovation capabilities: Due to the lack of core technology, although the market share is gradually expanding, the quality level has not improved accordingly, resulting in serious product homogeneity, and the high-end market is mainly occupied by Japanese products.
2.Difficult to operate at a higher speed: Pancake stepper motors are difficult to obtain large torque, and will destroy synchronization when overloaded, and will vibrate and make noise when working at high speed.
3.Problems in the development of stepper motor drivers: When developing stepper motor drivers, you may encounter problems such as burning out the driver chip when the motor starts or stops at high speed, jittering at low speed, and serious heating after long-term operation.
In terms of management, the main difficulties of pancake-type stepper motors include:
1. Lack of effective management strategies: Due to poor management, product homogeneity is serious, which affects the development and progress of the pancake-type stepper motor manufacturing industry1.
2. Intensified market competition: With the increasing application of stepper motors in the field of industrial automation, competition among enterprises continues to intensify, but most enterprises can only engage in the processing and manufacturing of low-end products, resulting in similar product quality and product structure on the market, making it difficult to form differentiated competition.
