In automation design, the choice between a Stepper Motor and a Servo Motor is often decided by budget. But looking at the price tag alone is a mistake that leads to machine failure. Steppers are excellent for holding loads stationary (high holding torque). Servos are kings of high-speed motion. If you choose a stepper for a high-speed application, it will lose torque and "miss steps." If you choose a servo for a simple low-speed application, you have wasted $500. This guide explains the physics behind the choice. Table of Contents 1. Open Loop vs. Closed Loop (The Risk) 2. The Torque Curve: Speed Kills Steppers 3. Inertia Mismatch 4. Selection Summary Advertisement 1. Open Loop vs. Closed Loop (The Risk) The biggest difference is not the motor itself, but how it is controlled. Figure 1: Steppers run "blind" (Open Loop). Servos use an encoder to verify position (Closed Loop). ...
To link Solid Edge variables to Microsoft Excel, we can do so by entering a formula in the variables table or by using VBA code. Advertisement In this post, I would like to show how easy it is to make it using the variables table. You can use the Variable Table to define and edit functional relationships between the dimensions of a design in a familiar spreadsheet format. The Variable Table is accessed with the Variables command on the Tools menu (or the Tools tab > Variables group in modern versions). There are two types of variables: dimensions displayed in the design and variables you create directly in the Variable Table. Dimension variables directly control elements of a design. Variables that you create cannot directly control the design but can drive dimension variables. A user variable must be set equal to a value or mathematical expression; for example, PI = 3.14159. Let's begin... 1. Create the Mechanism Sketch ...