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A Brief Overview of the AlphaStep Family
The term "AlphaStep" encapsulates Oriental Motor's proprietary Hybrid Control technology, which enhances stepper motor performance by intelligently switching between open-loop and closed-loop modes depending on the rotor position. This post explores the unique technologies within the AlphaStep family of products and highlights the various integrated options available. It also serves as a guide for navigating our website (with a video added for reference).
Introduced in 1998 as the AS Series, the AlphaStep technology revolutionized stepper motors by enabling them to mimic servo performance at a lower cost. Over the years, we’ve made significant improvements to this technology with two major advancements, closing the gap between stepper motors and servo motors even further.
The AlphaStep Hybrid Control Technology operates primarily in open-loop mode but switches to closed-loop when necessary. When in closed-loop, the motor maximizes torque output, ensuring optimal performance.
In 2007, the first major advancement came with the AR Series, which combined Hybrid Control technology with a patented low-loss rotor and stator design. This innovation allowed stepper motors to handle continuous duty cycles without overheating, a breakthrough at the time. However, like absolute encoders, the resolver feedback system required a battery for absolute position control.
More recently, the AZ Series has brought together all three technologies—Hybrid Control, low-loss rotor/stator design, and battery-free absolute position control via a patented “ABZO†multi-rotation mechanical absolute encoder. The AZ Series now presents a compelling alternative to traditional servo motor systems. Additionally, we’ve been expanding the AZ Series’ application range by offering motors with various gearheads and actuators.
With an easy-to-use universal software platform, advanced motion sequences can be programmed and stored directly within the dedicated drivers, reducing the burden on the host controller and decentralizing control. The AlphaStep family supports comprehensive standardization of all motion axes within a machine or production line, thanks to its wide range of products in both rotary and linear motion.
To see how an entire production line can be automated using the AlphaStep family of products, check out this video:
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Now that we’ve covered what the AlphaStep family can do, let’s dive deeper into the AZ Series and explore all the available options.
- **Starting Point**: A consolidated page that introduces all products featuring AlphaStep Hybrid Control technology.
- **Driver Input Voltages**: Two options are available—AC Input and DC Input.
- **Frame Sizes**: The AZ Series offers five frame sizes: 20mm, 28mm, 42mm, 60mm, and 85/90mm.
- **Gearhead Options**: Various types of gearheads are available, each offering distinct advantages in terms of output torque and backlash.
- **Actuator Options**: Besides gearheads, we also offer integrated rotary and linear actuator options.
- **Dedicated Drivers**: These ensure product specifications are met, offering compatibility and precise adjustments.
For instance, clicking on the "Stepper Motor Lineup" tab reveals a product table listing all configurations. There are two primary options: "AC Input" and "DC Input." AC Input motors are essentially DC Input motors with high-voltage windings, paired with drivers capable of delivering higher bus voltages, resulting in greater torque at higher speeds compared to DC Input types.
Selecting a frame size will display a list of available motors. For example, choosing "AC Input 2.36 in. (60mm) NEMA 24 Stepper Motors" would present 78 part numbers, showcasing the breadth of the product lineup.
The true power of the AlphaStep family lies in its ability to combine different products to meet specific requirements. For example, gearheads extend the motor's torque range significantly, from 2.8 oz-in to up to 1,391 lb-in.
Gear options are displayed after selecting a frame size. Use the "Advanced Search" or "Search Filters" on the left side of the results page to refine your search. You can also compare items directly.
In addition to gearheads, we offer several actuator options, including compact linear actuators, linear slides, linear cylinders, rotary actuators, and rack and pinion systems. Each type caters to specific applications, offering distinct benefits.
Dedicated drivers play a crucial role in ensuring product specifications are met. These drivers automatically adjust parameters like voltage and current upon connection, providing reliable performance. The driver options include Pulse Input, Pulse Input + RS485, Stored Data + RS485, EtherNet/IP, and Multi-axis EtherCAT (DC input only).
For example, selecting the "AZM46AC" motor—a "AC Input AZ Series 1.65 in. (42mm) NEMA 17 Stepper Motor with Absolute Encoder"—displays compatible driver options on the right, along with accessories and cables. Our website ensures that only compatible options are shown, whether on a part number page or during checkout.
If you have any questions, our knowledgeable technical support team is here to assist you in finding the best product for your application and guiding you through the motor sizing and selection process.
To learn more about the AlphaStep family, watch our product application videos on the website (under Stepper Motors - AlphaStep) or follow us on social media (#AlphaStep).
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Finally, consider scheduling a technical seminar to delve deeper into the AlphaStep family.
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That's it! You’ve now met the entire AlphaStep family. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.