Linear Stepper Motor

Portescap's stepper motor linear actuator creates translational motion with the simple operation of a stepper motor resulting in a cost effective and reliable motion solution. Achieving linear motion internal to the motor eliminates the cost of designing a transmission into the system, reducing the number of points for potential wear. Overall efficiency is improved by the linear stepper as a result of this reduction in external mechanical components. Linear stepper motors also hold their linear position without power utilizing the detent torque of the can stack motor, reducing the power requirements of the system when not in operation.

The available captive design reduces overall size and produces purely translational motion while the non-captive linear stepper design provides longer travel stroke. The ball bearing design provides extended life of the linear actuator motor and enables higher load carrying capability. Digital control makes the linear stepper motor easy to control with a microprocessor without the need for positional feedback, as long as the stepper motor actuator is sized properly.

Winding voltages of 5 and 12 V are standard but typically the linear stepper motors are run with a chopper driver which controls the current supplied. This allows the voltage to the motor to be increased, which provides a higher capability for the maximum speed that the linear stepper motor will operate at. The current supplied will dictate the torque output and can be set to match the load requirement of the application.