Engineering Notes by Oriental Motor

Improve Positioning Precision for Autosamplers with High Resolution and Encoder Type Stepper Motors

[fa icon="calendar"] Originally posted on Sep 26, 2023 2:54:58 PM
Last updated on October 2, 2024 / by Johann Tang

Johann Tang

In this article, we're diving deeper into two stepper motor types: high-resolution type and encoder type; and how they can be used to improve precision in critical laboratory automation applications like autosamplers.

 

What is an autosampler?

Autosampler with microsyringes

Credit: Wikipedia

 

An autosampler is an automated machine that provides samples to an analytical instrument for analysis.  Autosamplers are typically used in laboratory automation and can automate the testing of a large lot of samples.  It can collect samples periodically from a large sample source and bring them to a sampling station, or bring a sampling instrument to the sample on a carousel.  An application example would be testing blood samples of patients for viral diseases. 

Since positioning precision and accuracy are necessary to move samples to specific locations repetitively, servo motors and stepper motors are typically used.  A stepper motor's precise control and positioning accuracy are beneficial for motion axes such as sample injection and syringe movement.  For more demanding applications with higher throughput requirements, such as robotic arms, a servo motor can provide higher torque and higher speeds.  Regardless of which motor is chosen, these motors are often coupled with mechanisms to convert rotary motion into linear motion, such as belt and pulley, ball screw, or rack and pinion systems.  For this article, we will focus on stepper motors.

Examples of Autosamplers

An autosampler for liquid or gaseous samples
An autosampler for solid samples for gamma ray measurement

Microsyringe_based_autosampler

Credit: Wikipedia

Gamma ray measurement autosampler

Credit: Wikipedia

 

An autosampler requires positioning precision; so the motors need to offer the same characteristics.

 

A 2-phase hybrid stepper motor typically "steps" at 1.8° and can achieve ±0.05° (±3 arc min) stop accuracy while running in open-loop.  By improving the positioning precision of the motor, the performance of the machine can be also improved.

 

How do you improve the positioning precision of stepper motors?

You can improve positioning precision by increasing the motor resolution or by adding an encoder (or both).  In this article, we will focus on two types of stepper motors that can help: high resolution type and encoder type.

 

Option 1

PKP Series high resolution type stepper motor

Use a high resolution type stepper motor to increase resolution and accuracy.

 

By switching out a standard 2-phase stepper motor with a high resolution type 2-phase stepper motor, the resolution of the motor is doubled due to the tooth pitch being reduced from 7.2° to 3.6° (360° divided by 50 or 100 teeth).  Since we fully step at a 1/4 of the tooth pitch at a time, this means that you can step at 0.9° instead of 1.8°.  With finer resolution, the precision of movement is also improved.

 

In a high resolution type stepper motor, the number of rotor teeth has doubled to 100 compared to 50 with the standard type. As a result, the tooth pitch is reduced by half, and the basic step angle becomes 0.9°.

rotor of a high resolution type stepper motor
Step error comparison between standard and high resolution type stepper motor

Rotor and stator design of a high resolution type stepper motor

The high resolution type increases motor resolution from 200 steps/revolution to 400 steps/revolution. Smaller step angles can be achieved by half-step or microstep driving.  However, these methods do not increase accuracy.

Better angle-torque characteristics improve the stop accuracy of the stepper motor by minimizing the negative effect of the frictional load, such as in a ball screw application.

 

Comaprison of angle-torque characteristics and displacement angle between stepper motor types

 

Option 2

PKP Series encoder type stepper motor

Use an encoder type stepper motor for reliability.

 

Although a standard hybrid stepper motor will not miss steps if sized properly for the load and speed, designers of automated machines or robots these days require more reliability these days.  Most designers are now closing the loop to ensure that the motor does not miss steps during operation.  Eliminating missed steps immediately for stepper motors is important since it will affect any subsequent motion (and other processes) after the missed steps have occurred.

 

By adding an encoder to a stepper motor's rear shaft and closing the feedback loop to the controller, a motor's travel distance can be monitored and verified by comparing the # of commanded steps to the number of pulses from the encoder, and missed steps can be programmed to be auto-corrected quickly to avoid delays. Oriental Motor encoder on PKP Series stepper motor

 

System configuration - encoder type stepper motor System configuration - encoder type stepper motor

 

Many types of encoders are available can can be preassembled by Oriental Motor.  For our PKP Series, compact incremental encoders of different resolutions, number of channels, output types, and electrical specifications are available for maximum flexibility with host controllers or PLCs.  For better noise immunity for longer distances, use a line driver output type encoder.

 

Encoder Specifications

Encoder Code

R2E

R2F

R3J

R2EL

R2FL

R3JL

Type

Incremental

Resolution

200 P/R

400 P/R

1000 P/R

200 P/R

400 P/R

1000 P/R

Output

A-phase, B-phase, Z-phase (3ch)

Input Current

45 mA or less

30 mA or less

Input Voltage

5 VDC ±10%

Output Type

Voltage (TTL equivalent)

Line Driver

Output Voltage

Low

0.5 VDC or less

High

4.3 VDC or more (with no load)

2.5 VDC or more

Response Frequency

100 kHz

200 kHz

 

Oriental Motor's PKP Series stepper motors are known for quality and include both a high resolution type and encoder types.

High Resolution Type Stepper Motors Encoder Type Stepper Motors

Watch another video to learn more about the PKP Series stepper motors, including its high torque design and other types. 

 

The PKP Series offers 2-phase bipolar type (4 wire), 2-phase unipolar type (6 wire), and 5-phase bipolar type (5 wire) to connect to your preferred driver.  Use a 5-phase motor for applications requiring lower vibration or noise.

PKP Series 2-Phase Bipolar   PKP Series 2-Phase Unipolar PKP Series 5-Phase Bipolar  

 

As always, please contact our knowledgeable technical support team for support of our products.

 

Topics: Stepper Motors, VIDEOS, Application Examples, Encoders, XYZ/Cartesian/Gantry, Laboratory

Johann Tang

Written by Johann Tang

Johann Tang is a Product Specialist at Oriental Motor USA Corp. Before joining the marketing team, he spent 15 years in sales, technical application support, and training of various types of fractional horsepower electric motors, gear motors, actuators, drivers, and controllers. If you have any questions, please feel free to use the live chat window, 1-800-GO-VEXTA (1-800-468-3982), or techsupport@orientalmotor.com, to reach our product support team. Johann can be reached via LinkedIn. Sorry, comments have been turned off.

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