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). ...
In the field of High-Speed Industrial Automation , simple geometric curves often fail. To achieve the smooth, vibration-free motion required by modern CNC machines and textile equipment, engineers must turn to advanced mathematics: Polynomial Cam Functions . Figure 1: High-speed automation requires mathematical precision that simple geometric curves cannot provide. Advertisement The Fundamental Law of Cam Design According to the "Bible" of mechanism design ( Fundamentals of Machine Design, Robert L. Norton ), any high-speed cam must obey two critical rules to avoid catastrophic machine failure: CRITICAL DESIGN RULES: 1. Continuity: The cam function must be continuous through the first (Velocity) and second (Acceleration) derivatives across the entire 360-degree interval. 2. Finite Jerk: The jerk function (the derivative of acceleration) must remain finite across the entire interval. Why "Jerk" Matte...