Engineering Notes by Oriental Motor

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

Products and technology are only valuable when coupled with skilled people and services to support them. Since 1978, ORIENTAL MOTOR U.S.A. CORP. has been building a service and support system to better serve customers. It is our goal to provide the best product and service from the design phase, through the sale and beyond.

Our blog will feature:

  • Introduction to new products and technologies
  • Motion control basics and application examples
  • Tips for motor selection, programming, and troubleshooting

 

CVD Stepper Motor Drivers Explained

Posted by Johann Tang on Apr 1, 2021 9:35:17 PM

CVD stepper motor drivers are the recommended drivers for PKP Series high torque stepper motors for its ability to lower vibration and improve torque performance throughout its entire speed range.  The latest update includes the addition of RS-485 communication and MEXE02 software support.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Smooth Drive, VIDEOS

Stepper Motor Basics: PM vs VR vs Hybrid

Posted by Johann Tang on Jan 8, 2021 10:15:53 PM

There are three main types of stepper motors available in the market: PM (permanent magnet) type, VR (variable reluctance) type, and hybrid type.  What are the differences, which one should you use, and how do they work?

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Motion Control Basics

Grounding Basics: What are the Differences Between PE and FG?

Posted by Johann Tang on Nov 30, 2020 9:42:41 PM

Proper grounding is necessary for electrical devices for different reasons, but why do we do it?

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Topics: AC Motors, Stepper Motors, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, BLDC Motors, Servo Motors, Cooling Fans, Motion Control Basics

Motion Programming Example: Loop Function For Repeated Motion

Posted by Johann Tang on Nov 3, 2020 2:14:14 PM

No matter how many functions a product offers, without an intuitive, easy-to-use software, those functions can be difficult to implement.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, VIDEOS, Software, Application Examples, Motion Control Basics

3-Axis Parallel Robot with AlphaStep Absolute Stepper Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Oct 29, 2020 8:25:46 PM

Remember the days when we used to go to in-person events, such as trade shows?  Robot demos have always generated a lot of foot traffic in booths.  What's better to illustrate the synchronism of closed-loop stepper motors than 3 motors working together to create one specific motion?

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, VIDEOS, Gearheads, Network, Application Examples

Built-in STO Function Simplifies Safety

Posted by Johann Tang on Sep 30, 2020 9:01:48 PM

STO, or "Safe Torque Off", is a dedicated, built-in safety circuit function that makes safety easier to manage for motion devices, such as an industrial robot.  It is part of the overall safety system designed to prevent injuries or damage.

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

What Determines Motor Life?

Posted by Johann Tang on Sep 30, 2020 10:30:00 AM

Knowing how to use a product properly can make a huge difference in its performance and life.  For example, knowing how to maintain cast iron pans properly can make them last longer.  With electric motors, understanding the factors that affect motor life is the first step to extending life and decreasing costs in the long run.

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Topics: AC Motors, Stepper Motors, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Speed Control, Servo Motors, Service Life

Wiring Basics: Unipolar vs Bipolar

Posted by Johann Tang on Aug 28, 2020 9:03:36 PM

An easy way to alter the speed and torque characteristics of a stepper motor is to connect it to a different type of driver or change its wiring configuration.  However, there's more to it.  Knowing the pros and cons between "unipolar" and "bipolar" can make or break your stepper motor performance.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Motion Control Basics

Monitor Your Machine Like a Traffic Light System

Posted by Johann Tang on Jun 19, 2020 8:00:00 PM

For automated factories, motor failures mean lost production and lost revenue.  Being able to identify the specific issue in advance and its location is critical to maintaining production efficiency.  To be successful, extra sensors must be added to detect abnormalities.  There may be an easier way.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, VIDEOS, Network, Application Examples, Troubleshooting

10 Advantages of Geared Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on May 29, 2020 9:37:39 PM

Oriental Motor offers many pre-assembled geared motors for quality, consistency, and reliability.   In addition, gearheads from our industry partners increase the torque range of our motors further to accommodate more applications.  Here are some advantages of geared motors.

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Topics: AC Motors, Stepper Motors, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, BLDC Motors, Gearheads, Application Examples, Rotary/Index Tables