Figure 1: Visual comparison . Steppers (Left) are dense and simple. Servos (Right) are longer and include a visible feedback encoder housing on the rear. The Million Dollar Question: "Which Motor Do I Need?" If you are designing a CNC machine, a packaging robot, or a conveyor system, you face the same dilemma every time: Stepper or Servo? Make the wrong choice, and you face two disasters: The Stepper Trap: Your machine "loses steps" (positional error) without knowing it, scrapping parts. The Servo Trap: You spend $5,000 on a system that could have been done for $500, blowing your budget. This guide bridges the gap between mechanical requirements and electrical reality. 1. The Stepper Motor: The "Digital Ratchet" Think of a Stepper Motor like a very strong, magnetic ratchet. It divides a full rotation into equal steps (typically 200 steps per revolution, or 1.8°). Pros: Incredible Holding Torque: Ste...
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 . 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 : 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" Matters in Automation Normally, cam motion isn't defined by a single equation. It is a sequence of segments: (Rise → Dwell → Return → Dwell) We cannot simply stitch these segment...