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With open-loop steppers, high
momentary torque demands are
difficult to achieve due to the risk
of losing steps. stepIM closed-loop
steppers are capable of very fast
accelerations, run more quietly
and have lower resonance than
conventional stepper motors.
They are able to operate at higher
bandwidths to deliver superior
performance.
Decentralized installation
stepIMs integrate the electronics
with the motor which results in
a decentralized artchitecture,
reducing cabling and simplifying
implementation.
The
stepIM
enables the creation of cabinet-less
machines.
Below we investigate motion-control
performance in a woodcutting
application, traditionally performed
with servos, but now performed
with stepIM closed-loop stepper
motors.
CLOSED-LOOP STEPPERS
IN HIGH-PRECISION
WOODCUTTING
MACHINES
A global industrial automation
company each year builds and
sells hundreds of precision CNC
machines to create woodframes
for windows. Requiring precise
synchronization and high torque,
the application required some 20-
30 pneumatic and electronic servo
motors in each machine. The cost
of the servos added significantly to
the overall cost.
The high cost of the servos
contributed significantly to the
overall cost of each machine.
Furthermore, the substantial
number of additional cables required
by the stand-alone, cabinet-
mounted servo encoders extended
installation time and added to the
maintenance complexity.
Upon hearing about Servotronix’s
stepIM,
closed-loop
stepper
motors, the company was eager
to determine their applicability to
these wood-processing machines.
“Cost has become a big factor in
keeping our high-end machines
competitive on a global scale,”
stated the Head of Development.
“However, we could never
compromise on performance,
precision and reliability.”
Figure 7. StepIM steppers require less current
Figure 8. Centralized vs.
decentralized architecture
Figure 9. Machine process of
wooden window frames
26 l New-Tech Magazine Europe