Introduction

A stepper motor is a type of motor that is commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications. It is known for its precision, accuracy, and the ability to control its rotation angle and direction. In this article, we will discuss how a stepper motor works.

Components of a Stepper Motor

A stepper motor consists of the following components:

Figure 1: Components of a stepper motor.

• Stator: The stator is the stationary part of the motor that contains the electromagnets.

• Rotor: The rotor is the rotating part of the motor that contains the permanent magnets.

• Shaft: The shaft connects the rotor to the load that the motor is driving.

• Driver: The driver is the electronic circuit that controls the current flow to the motor windings.

Working Principle

The working principle of a stepper motor is based on the interaction between the electromagnetic fields of the stator and rotor. When a current is applied to one of the stator windings, it generates an electromagnetic field that attracts the nearest rotor magnet. As a result, the rotor moves to align itself with the stator field.

To rotate the rotor, the current in the stator winding is then switched off and applied to the next winding, which generates a new electromagnetic field. This process is repeated for each winding, and the rotor moves in a step-wise manner to follow the changing magnetic fields.

The number of steps required to make a complete rotation depends on the number of rotor magnets and stator windings. For example, a stepper motor with 4 rotor magnets and 4 stator windings will require 4 steps to complete one rotation.

Figure 2: Working principle of a stepper motor.

Applications of Stepper Motors

Stepper motors are widely used in various applications that require precise control of rotation, such as:

• Robotics

• CNC machines

• 3D printers

• Medical equipment

• Industrial automation

Conclusion

In conclusion, a stepper motor is a type of motor that operates based on the interaction between the electromagnetic fields of the stator and rotor. It is a versatile and reliable motor that is commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications that require precision and accuracy.