Stepper or brushless DC — which do we need? It depends what you are asking the motor to do. If the requirement is holding or repeating an exact position, the closed-loop AZ stepper is the answer. If it is driving a conveyor across a range of speeds, the BMU brushless DC is usually the better fit. Getting that decision right is what motor sizing and selection is for.
Don’t stepper motors lose position? Open-loop ones can. The AZ series is closed loop with an 18-bit absolute encoder, so it knows its actual position rather than counting steps and hoping, which removes the usual objection to steppers.
How accurate is it? Better than 3 arc minutes on the AZ. Whether that is more accuracy than you need is worth asking, because precision costs money and is rarely free to maintain.
Do we need a separate controller? Not with the built-in controller type driver, which is one of the reasons setup is faster. Positions are programmed in MEX02, available free from Oriental Motor.
Will a brushless DC motor really save energy? The BMU uses 30 to 35% less than a comparable induction motor. Whether that matters depends on how many hours your line runs — on a single shift it is marginal, on continuous running it is not.
Can you programme motors on equipment we already have? Yes. We specify, programme and commission drives on our own equipment and on machinery from other suppliers.
Where do you cover? We are based in Finglas, Dublin 11 and work with customers across Ireland.
