Glossary · Motion control and drives
Stepper motor resonance
Also known as: Mid-band resonance, Stepper resonance
German: Resonanz beim Schrittmotor
In stepper motor technology, resonance is the oscillation of the rotor and load around their step positions at certain step rates, which causes vibration, noise and torque loss up to step loss; low-speed resonance occurs near the motor's natural frequency, mid-band resonance at medium speeds as an instability of the drive system.
- Motion control
In one sentence
Stepper motor resonance is rotor oscillation at certain step rates, causing noise, vibration and torque loss up to step loss.
Example
A stepper-driven sample carousel rattles and loses steps at about 120 rpm; a finer microstep setting and a faster ramp through that speed solve it.
How it applies
- Engineering: Microstepping, electronic damping in the driver, suitable chopper settings, mechanical dampers and load inertia matching reduce resonance.
- Commissioning: Sweep the speed range with the real load; ramp through critical speeds quickly instead of running at them.
- Operation: Resonance can change with load, temperature and wear, so a machine that ran quietly may start rattling.
- Documentation: In troubleshooting, describe the symptom (noise or vibration at one speed range, step loss there) and the remedies the user may apply. Avoid wording that suggests a defective motor when the cause is a resonance of the drive system.