Stepper motor control with servo performance

In general, stepper motors are considered a cost-effective alternative to servomotors, unless high performance is required. The Kuhnke FIO Drive module from Kendrion is a closed-loop motor control. With this module, stepper motors with field-oriented control of comparable servos are in no way inferior and can be used alternatively in many applications.

The compact drive controller can be used universally for the operation of both stepper motors and brushless DC motors with a peak current of up to 15 A. But more and more closed loop controlled stepper motors replace the expensive servo motor solutions. In many applications, such as winding applications or conveyor belt drives, they are an alternative to servo drives. Especially in combination with stepper motors, the magnetic field-oriented vector control with sinusoidal commutation ensures impressive dynamics, high efficiency, quiet running and powerful start-up.

In this servo operation, step errors are corrected while in motion and load angle errors are compensated within one full step. Due to constant monitoring of the motor the controller always supplies the required amount of power and thus saves energy. Several of these controllers can be combined with a bus coupler, expanded with input / output modules and controlled by an EtherCAT master. In addition, the module can be configured via the integrated web server without further software installation from any PC with LAN connection and web browser. The new FIO controller, which can function as a motion controller with CODESYS Softmotion CNC + robotics, perfectly complements the modular motion complete solution for these drives.