Stepper motor driver offers more functions
According to Astrosyn International Technology, the new MSST5-S stepper motor driver is set to shake up the stepper market.
This product is similar in price to traditional 5A step-and-direction microstepping drives, but offers three modes of control: step-and-direction; internal oscillator speed control; and full PC or PLC software control.
Software control enables the driver to be set up for running pre-coded routines repeatably, but it can also be useful to use this PC control to carry out on-line optimisation of parameters such as acceleration/deceleration, speeds, wait times and others.
Even when used in 'dumb' mode as a straight replacement for a traditional drive, it has the advantages of high current capacity in a compact size without requiring additional cooling, and very comprehensive protections such as over/under-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, and open/short circuit.
The 256-microstep MSST5-S also incorporates features such as automatic system status monitoring and display, anti-resonance, torque ripple smoothing and command signal smoothing. At start up, the driver measures motor parameters, including resistance and inductance, and uses this information to optimise system performance.
Output current is 0.2-5A (peak) from a supply voltage of 24-48V DC. Host connection is via RS232 or RS485 interfaces. For such a high-performance unit, its size of only 92 x 76 x 29mm is said to be exceptional.
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