Linear stepper motor with one-piece captive shaft

By Control Engineering Staff August 15, 2006

Captive LinearStep Series stepper motors from Nippon Pulse America are intended for applications where external anti-rotation methods are difficult or impossible to use.

Radford , VA —Captive LinearStep Series linear-type stepper motor from Nippon Pulse America is RoHS compliant with a one-piece captive shaft. Guideless, linear-shaft movement is said to give designers a simple system at less cost than a conventional rotary stepper system that must be adapted for linear motion. Anti-rotation cap lets the shaft actuate without the external guide mechanism required with non-captive type linear stepper motors.

Device produces linear motion in a rotary-size package with outside dimensions of 25 and 35 mm and a 30-mm stroke. Custom stroke lengths are available. Shaft travel in resolutions from 0.010 to 0.05 mm per step can yield up to 5 Kg of force. Same drive circuit used for NPM tin-can type steppers can drive the Captive LinearStep. Device has ball bearing shaft supports and a welded motor case for long life and durability.

Applications include small machinery, antenna communication devices, laboratory instrumentation, medical pump and syringe devices, and automated devices that require precise remote controlled linear movements in a very small package. Linear actuators reportedly allow OEMs to reduce device components and simplify design.

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk

Jeanine Katzel , senior editor