What is the smallest step a SQUIGGLE motor can take?
Larger motors with larger screw diameter and finer thread pitch can take smaller “steps.” For SQL motors, the smallest guaranteed linear motion is <0.5 microns. For SQ-100 series motors this is about 0.02 microns (20 nanometers). Open loop step size will vary based on operating conditions (see the "stepper motor" question). For more precise control matching the capabilities of the motor, an encoder with resolution at or better than the motorshould be used. For more information see the application notes Creating closed-loop motion systems using SQUIGGLE motors and Choosing position sensors for use with SQUIGGLE motors.
While the motor is not a stepper motor, it can be driven to move in linear increments and it is sometimes convenient to call these increments “steps.” (See also “Can I use the SQUIGGLE motor like a stepper motor?”) Larger motors with larger screw diameter and finer thread pitch can be driven to move in smaller increments. For SQL motors, the smallest guaranteed linear motion increment is <0.5 microns. For SQ-100 series motors it is about 0.02 microns (20 nanometers). Open loop step size will vary based on operating conditions. For more precise control matching the capabilities of the motor, an encoder with resolution at or better than the motor should be used.
