Photos of how Stepper Motors work by Inventables

Nice pictures, but I have seen some better explanation of how they work.

(if only I could find the link)

Once you understand how they step, and the tricks used to get half-stepping, you can also appreciate the limitations they have, and the differences between them and a DC motor.

Mark

The real limit to fabricating your own steppers is the permanent magnets that must align but be offset my one tooth to facilitate the proper action under the coil activation process.

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RE: Photos of how Stepper Motors work by Inventables

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3D printed Stepper Motors (see YouTube video above - not my design) have been created, but produce lower resolution in comparison to commercially developed alternatives.

Kirk

Thanks for highlighting that video.  I didn't realize it was possible to make one like that!

The same designer has some really amazingly successful DC motors that were formed using 3D Printed spindles and common meter-making materials (Sapphire anvil bearings, etc). He has achieved some really impressive long-running motors (very low torque, so not approaching a virtual perpetual motion system) using these low-mass low-friction alternatives. The 3D printed steppers use similar processes as the commercially-developed steppers we are familiar with - but the commercial versions have a much smaller step angle by virtue of their armature's closer tolerences between each phase step. As we can improve the 3D printed alternatives, we may approach the ability to fabricate even more of the 3D printer itself. For now, that means geared transfer of the gross movement to achieve finer step control, but there are many other alternatives to explore in the years ahead.

Kirk

The same designer has some really amazingly successful DC motors that were formed using 3D Printed spindles and common meter-making materials (Sapphire anvil bearings, etc). He has achieved some really impressive long-running motors (very low torque, so not approaching a virtual perpetual motion system) using these low-mass low-friction alternatives. The 3D printed steppers use similar processes as the commercially-developed steppers we are familiar with - but the commercial versions have a much smaller step angle by virtue of their armature's closer tolerences between each phase step. As we can improve the 3D printed alternatives, we may approach the ability to fabricate even more of the 3D printer itself. For now, that means geared transfer of the gross movement to achieve finer step control, but there are many other alternatives to explore in the years ahead.

Kirk