This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Stepper Motors category on DigiKey.com
Stepper motors are DC voltage motion actuators that move in discrete steps. Multiple sets of coils organized in groups called “phases” determine the motors armature position. Energizing each phase in sequence causes armature rotation one step at a time. With computer or microcontroller managed stepping, precise positioning and/or speed control is achieved. Steppers are selected by torque, steps per revolution, step angle, NEMA frame size, coil resistance, polarity and shaft features.
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Coil Type: Describes the manner in which a stepper motor’s coils are connected and driven; influences achievable motor performance and the character of the drive electronics required.
Voltage - Rated: Typically this represents the maximum voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
Current Rating (Amps): This rating indicates the nominal amount of current you would expect the device to draw during normal operation.
Steps per Revolution: The number of electrical steps that must be applied to result in one complete shaft rotation. Equal to 360° divided by step angle.
Step Angle: The amount of shaft rotation associated with the application of one electrical step, equal to 360° divided by the number of steps per revolution.
Accuracy: The percentage by which the shaft location is allowed to shift from its stated value and still be considered within specification.
Torque - Holding (oz-in / mNm): Mechanical output torque developed by a motor at rated current and zero rotational speed.
Size / Dimension: The physical dimensions of the device, such as length and width or diameter.
NEMA Frame Size: Motor size per NEMA standard, can be understood as a dimension in tenths of an inch; a NEMA 34 motor for example has a cross section measuring about 3.4" x 3.4"
Diameter - Shaft: The physical measurement of the shaft’s diameter.
Length - Shaft and Bearing: Describes the distance that a motor shaft and any supporting bearing structure protrude from the main body/mounting face of a motor.
Mounting Hole Spacing: Indicates the diameter of a circle passing through the centers of a motor’s mounting holes.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as connector, through hole, and wire leads.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Coil Resistance: Characterizes the resistance of a motor’s windings, typically on a per-winding basis.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as a driver, integrated encoder, and threaded shaft.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | 108990003 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1597-1203-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Seeed Technology Co., Ltd |
| DESCRIPTION | Bipolar Stepper Motor Permanent Magnet Gear Motor Frame Size 2045.0 Step 5VDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 35L048B2U |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 403-1007-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Portescap |
| DESCRIPTION | Unipolar Stepper Motor Permanent Magnet Frame Size 48.0 Step 190 mA 12VDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | ROB-09238 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1568-1105-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | SparkFun Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Bipolar Stepper Motor Hybrid Frame Size 17 200.0 Step 330 mA 12VDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 23KM-K244-00V |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | P14281-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | NMB Technologies Corporation |
| DESCRIPTION | Unipolar Stepper Motor Hybrid Frame Size 23 200.0 Step 2.9 A 24VDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
Stepper Motor Basics
CUI Devices Stepper Servo Motors
Product Training Modules
Stepper Motor Basics - Sanyo Denki
Stepper Fundamentals - STMicroelectronics
Types of Stepper Motors - Microchip
Motor Selection - Sanyo Denki
Improving Motor Performance - Sanyo Denki
TechForum
How to Drive a Stepper Motor
Stepper Motors Characteristics
Steps per Revolution and Step Angle in Stepper Motors