Step motor control offers a powerful alternative in the right applications. Step motors are popular first and foremost because they are easy to use. They do not require an encoder to maintain their ...

When you think about highly-precise actuators, stepper motors probably aren’t the first device that comes to mind. However, as [Diffraction Limited]’s sub-micron capable micro-manipulator shows, they ...

In 2012, Automation World published an article looking at the decision factors faced when choosing electric or pneumatic actuators. More than a decade later, manufacturing engineers and OEMs still ...

Open-loop stepper motors have held a prominent position in automation applications over the years due to their simplicity, excellent positioning, and low cost. However, as manufacturers utilize faster ...

Motors account for at least half of the energy consumed in the U.S. Selecting the right control method for an application lets the motor run most efficiently while maximizing torque and overall ...

Every plant in the process industry most likely has several control loops that do not perform well. Although there are many factors that may negatively affect control loop performance, a few of these ...