Structural characteristics and application places of bipolar stepper motors

1. What is a bipolar stepper motor?

A bipolar stepper motor is a special stepper motor characterized by two polarities (positive and negative) in each winding, hence the name "bipolar". Bipolar stepper motors usually have two windings (usually called phase A and phase B), and both ends of each winding can be energized to form positive and negative polarities. By alternating the direction of the current in the windings, a rotating magnetic field can be generated to drive the rotor to rotate.

2. Working principle of bipolar stepper motors

The working principle of bipolar stepper motors is based on the principle of electromagnetism. When appropriate current pulses are applied to the coils of the motor, it rotates according to the preset step angle. By precisely controlling the sequence and frequency of the current pulses applied to each coil, the direction and speed of the motor's rotation can be precisely controlled.

3. Structural characteristics of bipolar stepper motors

1. Winding structure: Bipolar stepper motors usually contain two main coils (or phases), each with two wires (a total of four wires) to control the rotation of the motor. This structure allows current to flow in both directions, providing greater torque output.

‌2. High-precision positioning: Bipolar stepper motors use stepping technology, and each step position is very accurate, which can accurately position the required position. This high-precision positioning feature gives bipolar stepper motors a clear advantage in situations where precise position control is required.

‌3. Strong reversibility: Since bipolar stepper motors have two independent coils, the direction of the current in the coils can be changed to achieve forward and reverse rotation of the motor. This strong reversibility makes bipolar stepper motors very adaptable in situations where the direction of the motor needs to be changed frequently.

‌4. Large static torque: Even in a stationary state, bipolar stepper motors can provide high torque output. This allows it to withstand various loads while providing good starting power when it starts to rotate.

‌5. Sensitive dynamic response: Bipolar stepper motors have a faster dynamic response speed and can quickly adjust the control amount to respond to changes in the system. This makes bipolar stepper motors have a good application effect in situations where fast response is required.

‌6. High control accuracy‌: The speed and angle of the bipolar stepper motor can be precisely adjusted according to the size and frequency of the control signal. This high control accuracy makes the bipolar stepper motor have a good application effect in occasions that require high-precision control‌.

4. Main application places of bipolar stepper motors

‌1. Industrial automation and manufacturing‌: In CNC machine tools, bipolar stepper motors are used to drive the X/Y/Z axis movement of cutting tools to achieve precise cutting positioning; in 3D printers, control the precise movement of the print head and printing platform to ensure printing accuracy‌.

‌2. Robots and automation equipment‌: In industrial robots, bipolar stepper motors are used for precise position control of robot joints to achieve high repeatability operations; in automated assembly lines, control the precise positioning of parts and the indexing movement of conveyor belts‌.

‌3. Packaging machinery‌: In packaging machinery, bipolar stepper motors are used to control the precise position and speed of actions such as film conveying, filling head position, capping, labeling, and indexing turntables‌.

‌4. Textile machinery‌: In textile machinery, bipolar stepper motors are used to control the precise movement of yarn tension, yarn guiding, winding and other processes.

‌5. Office equipment‌: In printers, they control the lateral movement of the print head and the longitudinal feeding of paper; in scanners, they control the precise movement of the scanning head; in copiers and fax machines, they drive the precise movement of the photosensitive drum and paper feeding mechanism.

‌6. Medical equipment‌: In medical imaging equipment such as X-ray machines and CT scanners, bipolar stepper motors are used to drive the movement of the scanning frame to achieve fast and accurate imaging; in infusion pumps and syringe pumps, they accurately control the piston's propulsion speed and distance.

‌7. Computers and peripherals‌: In optical drives and hard disk drives, bipolar stepper motors are used to control the precise movement of laser heads and read-write magnetic arms.

‌8. Security and monitoring‌: In surveillance camera pan/tilts, they control the up and down and left and right rotation angles of the camera.

Source:https://logical-llama-mf6wsm.mystrikingly.com/blog/structural-characteristics-and-application-places-of-bipolar-stepper-motors