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Linear or Switch Mode Power supply for PWM Driven Stepper Motors?

Catwell

I used to use linear power supplies for all my motor control applications. Stepper and servo drivers were all fed with raw linear power. However, recently I have switched to less expensive switching power supplies for the same application. Although I have not seen any performance drop in the motors, I am wondering if I should still stick with a linear supply.


So, to all the motor drive designers out there, is there any real problems with using a switching supply? Would I get smoother motor commutation going linear?


For those who want to know, I am driving 2.1 - 3A per phase stepper motors at 36V. The power supply I am now using supplies switch mode regulated power of 36V at up to 8.8A (350W).


Cabe

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    Hi Cabe,

     

    SMPS performs very nice for motor applications (for any application i would assume) and it will give you the benefit of cost, size and efficiency. As you will use off the shelve products you have to test the power supply on dynamic load response and other important parameters for your specific application. You can not always use the vendor's product specification because your load might interact different than his test load. Most power supplies suppliers use DC current sources to test their products. Load transient of 10A/us might trigger dynamic overcurrent protections. If i may add one comment; if your aim is to build more than one product, test for margin. For example if you need 10A, test for 12A. In this case you will have less to worry about entering mass production.

     

    Best regards,

     

    Enrico Migchels

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  • 0

    Hi Cabe,

     

    SMPS performs very nice for motor applications (for any application i would assume) and it will give you the benefit of cost, size and efficiency. As you will use off the shelve products you have to test the power supply on dynamic load response and other important parameters for your specific application. You can not always use the vendor's product specification because your load might interact different than his test load. Most power supplies suppliers use DC current sources to test their products. Load transient of 10A/us might trigger dynamic overcurrent protections. If i may add one comment; if your aim is to build more than one product, test for margin. For example if you need 10A, test for 12A. In this case you will have less to worry about entering mass production.

     

    Best regards,

     

    Enrico Migchels

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