How Do Stepper Motor and Driver Circuits Work?
Stepper Motor Basics A stepper motor is a type of electric motor that turns around using a number of small, discrete steps. The stepper motor is not necessarily as fast as other electric motors, but it does have some useful features other motors don’t. Stepper motors can rotate to a precise position and stop there, holding in position. This makes them very useful for robotics and other precise applications. Stepper Setup The stepper motor consists of a rotor surrounded by electromagnets. The rotor is attached to a metal gear. The electromagnets have gear-like teeth, which face towards the gear on the rotor, but don’t contact it. The stepper motor driver circuit controls the stepper motor by turning on the electromagnets, one at a time. Locking the Motor In Place Imagine a stepper motor with four magnets equally spaced around the perimeter. When the stepper motor turns on, the driver circuit sends power to the first electromagnet, turning it on. The teeth of the motor are pulled to the
