Welcome to Oriental Motor's "Engineering Notes" Blog:

Historically, stepper motors are not rated by watts like AC motors or servo motors.  So...how would you compare a stepper motor to a servo motor or a brushless motor?

Topics: Stepper Motors

Robotics automation can be easier to build than you think.  Here's an example of how a 5-axis SCARA robot can be built in-house with off-the-shelf products.

Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Motor Sizing, VIDEOS, Software, Network, Application Examples

 

Robots are increasing in demand due to continuing labor shortages and the push for error-less efficiency in manufacturing.  In the meantime, other companies are falling behind because they either do not have the capital or engineering know-how to implement robotics automation.  While you can buy a robot and pay someone else to program it to do what you want, building and programming your own robot can be easier than you think.

Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, VIDEOS, Software, Network, Application Examples, New Product Introductions

The level of troubleshooting you can perform depends on your knowledge of the system.  This blog post provides the basics of troubleshooting for stepper motor systems.

Topics: Stepper Motors, Troubleshooting, Motion Control Basics

Motors exhibit noise.  The important thing to know is how you distinguish normal noise from abnormal noise, and how to troubleshoot.

Topics: AC Motors, Stepper Motors, Speed Control, BLDC Motors, Gearheads, Troubleshooting

AC motors are the workhorses of industrial automation.  They're robust, easy to use, and offer a wide product breadth.  What do you do if they stop working, and you don't have a spare?

Topics: AC Motors, Troubleshooting, Motion Control Basics

Tension control is a niche application that is not easy to implement.  Using the right type of motor is the first step to success.  Hint: you don't always have to use a servo motor.

Topics: AC Motors, Torque Limit (Push Motion, Tension Control)

Servo motor systems are expensive but great for demanding applications that require high speed, peak torque, or feedback.  Stepper motors are cost-effective but do not offer the peace of mind of feedback.  For designs that do not need the bells and whistles of servo motor systems, there is another option.

Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Servo Motors, Network

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global food prices reached an all-time high in 2022.  This case study explains how a vegetable farm in Hokkaido, Japan, improved production efficiency and reduced costs by building in-house automation.

Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, BLDC Motors, Washdown, Case Study

Pneumatic linear actuators and electric linear actuators are often compared for linear motion requirements that do not require the high forces of hydraulic linear actuators.  Here are 15 factors that should be considered.

Topics: Stepper Motors, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Servo Motors