Precise hybrid stepper motor

Stepper motors - also known as stepper motors - are a popular type of Electric motors which are used in a range of applications. Whether in industrial automation, robotics or 3D printing: stepper motors have become indispensable in many areas. Their great advantage lies in their precise positioning and the step-by-step drive, which makes it possible to carry out exact movements.

On this page you will find information on how stepper motors work, information on the benefits and practical application examples. Discover our large portfolio of hybrid stepper motors in our online shop:

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What you will find on this page:

▶ Different versions of stepper motor
▶ Structure of stepper motor
▶ Advantages of stepper motor

▶ Application examples of stepper motor
▶ Free white paper
▶ Frequently asked questions from our customers

Different versions of stepper motor

At igus® you will only find effective hybrid stepper motors. We always keep a large stock so that your desired motor is ready for dispatch within 24 hours. Here you will find 3 different versions of the popular stepper motors at a glance.

Shaft stepper motors

The classic stepper motor with a standard shaft for rotation transmission. Discover our various versions with brake, encoder and different connector variants.

Buy shaft stepper motor

Lead screw stepper motors

For space-saving designs that require a stepper motor with a directly integrated spindle, the drylin® E spindle motor programme is the ideal solution. The stepper motors are compact and available with or without encoder.

Buy spindle stepper motor

Specialist stepper motors

Do you have special requirements for your new stepper motor? Among our specialist motors you will find motors with various types of protection, waterproof models and motors for use in vacuum applications.

Buy specialist stepper motor

Structure of stepper motor

The stepper motor belongs to the family of electric motors and consists mainly of a rotor (3), a stator (4), a step angle encoder and control electronics. The core of the stepper motor is the rotor, which is made of permanent magnetic materials such as neodymium or ferrite. Surrounding the rotor is the so-called stator, which consists of coils (2) and generates magnetic fields through the supply of electric current. These fields interact with the magnets in the rotor and generate the rotary movement of the stepper motor.

Another component is the step angle sensor, which enables precise positioning. It sends pulses to the motor control unit, which can then check the position of the rotor. The step angle of the motor specifies the mechanical resolution, i.e. describes how finely it can be positioned. This step angle can vary depending on the motor and is typically 1.8° or 0.9° per step. The current flow in the motor coils, which are installed in the stator, is controlled by the control electronics. It controls the step sequence and the direction of rotation. Thanks to the precise control system of the steps, the stepper motor enables accurate positioning and is indispensable in many applications.

Advantages of stepper motor

Precise positioning

Very precise positioning is possible with stepper motor. The motors perform very small angular steps, which ensure particular precision. This is particularly important for applications that require high accuracy, such as CNC machines or 3D printers, and is a decisive advantage of the motors.

High torque and holding torque

Stepper motors offer a high holding torque, which enables them to hold loads with low energy consumption. This is often particularly important in industrial applications. The torque of hybrid stepper motors is also very high in relation to their installation size.

Low heat generation

Compared to other electric motors, stepper motors generate less heat during operation. The reason for this is the reduced current consumption and current reduction through a control system at standstill. In conjunction with a step angle encoder, the stepper motors can be operated like servomotors, which enables even lower energy requirements.

Simple motor control

stepper motors can be controlled with simple control signals. The motors can be rotated precisely thanks to the step sequence control system. Thanks to the high torque, high accelerations and decelerations are also possible. This makes stepper motors ideal for applications where precise positioning is required.

stepper motor shopping aid

Find the right motor in just a few clicks

With the purchasing aid for electric motors, you will be shown suitable motors from our portfolio after entering your requirements.

Find suitable products quickly
With and without gearbox
Including technical data
Fast delivery*

To the stepper motor shopping aid*You can also find a wide selection of stepper motors in our online shop

Sizes of stepper motor

There are a number of standards for stepper motors that have been defined by the "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" (NEMA for short). All NEMA stepper motors are defined by mechanical dimensions such as centring circle, mounting holes or flange dimensions. Known sizes are

NEMA 08 (flange dimension 20 mm)
NEMA 11 (flange dimension 28 mm)
NEMA 14 (flange dimension 35 mm)
NEMA 17 (flange dimension 42 mm)
NEMA 23 (flange dimension 56 mm)
NEMA 34 (flange dimension 86 mm)

All stepper motors from igus® are labelled with the respective installation size. So you will always find the right motor in the right size.

Examples of stepper motor applications

Common applications for stepper motors are all those that require accurate positioning and precise motion control. This applies, for example, to use in 3D printers, medical devices, CNC milling machines or in the automation industry in general.

Drive technology application example Art Robotics

Special measurement setup with lead screw axes

Research and development in the field of sustainability requires innovative, cost-effective, cleanroom-compatible solutions. In combination with the motor and control system, our lubrication-free lead screw axes ensure a cost-effective turnkey solution.

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3D printer for concrete l Lubrication-free solution for dusty environment

The use of cement creates a high level of dust load in the 3D concrete printer, which the products have to withstand. Furthermore, the longest possible service life and fast maintenance are required. Our bearing solutions and lubrication-free linear drives ensure a long service life despite dirt and contamination.

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Engines for marine research

Developing a cost-effective and compact computer tomograph for analysing drill cores from the seabed: To accomplish this task, the Hattingen-based CT specialist diondo relied on our motors and the D1 dryve-control system. What makes the components so successful in the application:

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More application examples

Here you will find many more application examples from our customers from all industries. Discover the applications in which the linear units from igus® have already been used.

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More information about stepper motor

Suitable motor control systems

From complex control tasks to simple automation directly on the motor control unit without software and/or PC.

Information on motor controls

Free white paper

What are spindle stepper motors and how do I find the right one for my application? Find out now in our white paper

Download whitepaper

Accessories Shop

Do you need suitable motor flanges, proximity switches, gearboxes and more? Then take a look at our accessories shop

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Frequently asked questions from our customers

The selection of the right stepper motor depends on several factors such as the required torque, the step angle resolution, the maximum operating speed and the environment. It is therefore essential to check the technical specifications and conditions carefully. Do you need help choosing the right stepper motor? No problem! Our experts will be happy to help you. Simply use our contact form.

stepper motors can be controlled extremely precisely, as they determine their position by a precise number of steps. The accuracy depends on the number of steps per revolution and the precision of the stepper motor control. The mechanical step resolution of the stepper motor allows positioning in the 1° range. Modern microstep controls reduce vibrations and enable even finer positioning, which can be less than 0.1°.

Our hybrid stepper motors combine the advantages of reluctance stepper motors and permanent magnet stepper motors. In direct comparison, they offer higher torques and a wider speed range. Thanks to their design with more complex stator windings, hybrid stepper motors also achieve better performance values and are therefore often the preferred choice for more demanding applications.

stepper motors function due to the interaction between the magnets in the rotor and the coils in the stator. By directing the flow of current into the coils, they generate a magnetic field that moves the rotor in precisely defined steps. This discrete movement enables precise positioning and repeatability.

The running times of stepper motors vary depending on the load, ambient temperature, control and the quality of the motor. In principle, stepper motors are designed for continuous operation and can run for up to 20,000 operating hours under normal operating conditions. For a longer service life and reliable performance, it is advisable to carry out regular maintenance work, such as cleaning the motors and checking the control electronics.