1.Basic definition of gear stepper motor
A gear stepper motor is a device that converts electrical pulse signals into mechanical motion. For each input pulse signal, the rotor will rotate a fixed angle or move forward one step. The angular displacement or linear displacement of its output is proportional to the number of input pulses, and the speed is proportional to the pulse frequency. Gear stepper motors are usually composed of a stator and a rotor, with multiple windings on the stator and a permanent magnet or reactive structure.
2.Working principle of gear stepper motor
The gear stepper motor converts DC power into a multi-phase timing control current with time-sharing power supply through a stepper motor driver, and uses the change of magnetic potential to cause the rotor to move, thereby achieving stepping. In order to minimize the possibility of losing steps or motor stalling, the gear size needs to be carefully determined to ensure that the motor matches the load and application parameters.
3.Reasons for the high transmission efficiency of gear stepper motors
1.Self-centering characteristics: In gear transmission, if the gear accuracy meets the requirements, the meshing between them is self-centering. This means that the position of the gear will be automatically adjusted during the movement, so that the meshing surfaces always maintain good contact. This self-centering characteristic can make the gear transmission efficient.
2.No slip phenomenon: The meshing between the tooth surfaces in the gear transmission transmits power through direct contact. This contact is direct and firm, so there will be no slip phenomenon. This ensures the energy conversion efficiency of the transmission, and due to the direct contact between the tooth surfaces, the accuracy of the gear transmission is also high.
3.Transmitting large torque: Gear transmission has the characteristics of transmitting large torque. Since the more teeth a gear has, the larger the contact area between them, so it can withstand a larger load. At the same time, the larger the diameter of the gear, the more torque they can withstand.
4.Low friction: In gear transmission, the contact between the tooth surfaces is solid contact, so the friction loss is small and the energy conversion efficiency is high.
4.Protection matters of gear stepper motor
1.Environmental maintenance: Although the stepper motor has a high protection level and can be used in dusty, humid or oil droplet-invaded places, it does not mean that it can be immersed in water to work. It should be placed in a relatively clean environment as much as possible, keep the surface of the motor clean, and the air inlet should not be blocked by dust, fiber, etc.
2.Regular inspection: Regularly check whether there is fatal damage on the outside of the stepper motor and ensure that the connection is firm; check whether the output shaft of the stepper motor rotates smoothly; check whether the encoder connection line and the power connector are firmly connected; check whether the cooling fan is working properly; clean the dust and oil on the stepper motor in time.
3.Load control: Ensure that the radial and axial loads added to the stepper motor shaft are controlled within the specified values of each model. The use of flexible couplings can reduce radial loads and avoid excessive bending loads that cause damage or wear to the shaft ends and bearings.
4.Installation precautions: When installing or removing coupling components, do not hit the shaft end directly with a hammer to avoid damaging the encoder. Ensure that the shaft end is aligned to the best state to avoid vibration or bearing damage.
5.Cable protection: Ensure that the cable is not subjected to torque or vertical loads due to external bending forces or its own weight, especially at the cable outlet or connection. In the case of a moving stepper motor, the cable should be firmly fixed to a stationary part and extended with an additional cable installed in a cable support to reduce bending stress.
6.Bearing maintenance: When the life of the stepper motor bearing ends, the vibration and noise of the motor will increase significantly. When the radial clearance of the bearing reaches a certain value, the bearing should be replaced.
7.Thermal protection: When the thermal protection of the motor is continuously activated, it should be found out whether the fault comes from the motor or the overload or the setting value of the protection device is too low. The motor can only be put into operation after the fault is eliminated.
