What are the main types of stepper motors?

Stepper motors are widely used in various industries because of their precise control of motion. Stepper motors are classified according to their structure, working principle, and control mechanism. In this paper, we will discuss the main types of stepper motors and their characteristics.

The three main types of stepper motors are: the permanent magnet stepper motor (PM), the variable magnetic resistance stepper motor (VR), and the hybrid stepper motor (HS).

Permanent Magnet Stepper Motor (PM)

A permanent magnet stepper motor is the simplest type of stepper motor. It consists of rotors with permanent magnets and stators with electromagnets. Stator electromagnets are energized in order to rotate the rotor in small steps. PM stepper motors with low torque and low resolution are commonly used in low-cost and low-speed applications such as toys, cameras, and printers.

Variable magnetic resistance stepper motor (VR)

A VR stepper motor has a rotor with teeth that align with the stator teeth when the electromagnet is energized, creating torque and motion. VR stepper motors have high resolution but low torque and are mainly used in low-cost and low-speed applications such as clocks and timers.

Hybrid stepper motor (HS)

Hybrid stepper motors are the most popular stepper motor type because of their high torque and resolution. HS stepper motors combine the best features of PM and VR stepper motors to make them ideal for a wide range of applications.

Conclusion

In short, the stepper motor is divided into three types: the permanent magnet stepper motor, the variable magnetic resistance stepper motor, and the hybrid stepper motor. The choice of stepper motor type depends on specific application requirements, such as torque, speed, resolution, accuracy, and cost.