Miniature geared steppers and matched drive provide uncomplicated and affordable motion control

Engineering Industry News

Available from motion control specialists Mclennan, a range of miniature geared stepper motors and a companion single-axis stepper drive from Micro Motors s.r.l. provide a simple, versatile and affordable solution for basic position- and/or speed-based motion control. A choice of four SM-series geared steppers combine 7.5 ° step motors with integral low-noise spur gearboxes in plastic and metal-housings, each offered in a wide choice of reduction ratios for maximum application flexibility. Gear unit determined output torque and speed for the largest model ranges from 700 mNm at 105 rpm to 1500 mNm at 2 rpm. The dedicated MM003AT/21-22 stepper drive features six DIP Switch selectable modes that include step and direction input for position and speed control and simulated ‘brush’ motor settings that utilise voltage or current input for proportional or fixed speed control.

The innovative MM003AT/21-22 stepper drive is powered by an external 12 to 30 V DC or 12 to 24 V AC power supply. The 4-way DIP Switch is used to manually select the six control modes which include step and direction as well as rotation direction, speed, and acceleration/deceleration for the ‘brush motor’ simulated modes. The DIP Switch is also used to select the maximum current output – a choice of 160 mA or 330 mA to suit the geared stepper chosen for the application. For convenient installation, the PCB mounted drive features screw terminal-strip connections for power and control signal inputs. Measuring just 33 x 33 x 14 mm deep and with a weight of 10 grams, the compact drive is easily installed with a single hole mounting.
SM-series geared steppers – all well proven in Micro Motors’ range – offer a broad choice for miniature motion control tasks. All are compact and feature simple face mounting and torque-matched output shafts. The largest model has an overall length of 52 mm for the highest reduction ratio with a gear unit diameter of 40 mm. The four models and the drive are broadly covered on Mclennan’s website with links to detailed datasheets for each model. The MM003AT/21-22 stepper drive and the geared steppers also covered here. Mclennan’s application support engineers are on hand to assist customers with motor sizing and product selection, and where required other gear/motor/drive combinations can be selected from Micro Motors’ or Mclennan’s comprehensive range.
Mclennan works closely with Micro Motors s.r.l. and other selected global motion control component manufacturers, and with its own in-house design and manufacturing capability, offers complete integrated mechatronics assemblies and customised mechanics with motor technologies that include brushed and brushless servo motors, stepper motors, small AC motors and complementary gear units together with motion controls and software for competitively priced multi-axis motion sub-systems – for use throughout all areas of automation and research-based motion control applications – including training and comprehensive after sales support.

For further information visit www.mclennan.co.uk