Going Small - How Current Step Motor Technology Can Help You Reduce Machine Size

Why So Small?

As it turns out, "going small" is an effort that traces back to the first steppers ever manufactured. Released in 1952, the Sigma "Cyclonome 9" series, one of the first steppers ever designed, was the first standard offering of its kind (more about it here ). Motors had a frame size of 1 3/16 inches, roughly the size of a modern day NEMA 11 motor. With a torque range of 1 - 12 oz-in, common applications at the time included printers, tape readers, and chart drive and display controls. Just like today, the small form factor of these motors allowed OEMs to reduce the overall size and footprint of their machines.

Achieving even smaller frame options means the stepper motor is now more versatile than ever. OEMs can better reduce the overall size and footprint of their machines, while maintaining maintenance-free, precise, and cost-effective motion control.

For example, small stepper motors used in chemical and blood analyzers allow OEMs in IVD and Life Sciences to further reduce the footprint of their products. The benefit? Smaller equipment can be kept on-site at local clinics and doctor's offices. Patients can be tested and receive medical diagnostics on-site, instead of making separate trips to the hospital.

The newly introduced PMX hybrid stepper series brings new NEMA 08, 11, and 14 frame sizes to Kollmorgen's stepper portfolio. Built with the same hybrid construction as their larger counterparts, these smaller motors offer a torque dense solution in a much smaller form factor.

More information about this new step motor line is available here.