Improve vibration and noise of stepping motors. What is damper installation processing?

The advantage of stepping motors is that positioning can be controlled relatively easily.
On the other hand, there are also disadvantages such as vibration, noise, and loss of synchronization.

Installing a damper can be an effective solution to these problems.

Purpose and benefits of attaching a damper to a stepping motor

Dampers reduce vibration and noise

The damper is made of rubber and serves to absorb motor vibrations and noise.

Easier to maintain stable rotation even at high speeds

A feature of stepping motors is that they do not generate vibration when the motor is stopped and can precisely maintain the axis position with maximum torque.
On the other hand, stepping motors have a torque characteristic known as a "droop characteristic," in which the torque gradually decreases as the rotation speed increases.

Due to this characteristic, when the rotation speed of a stepping motor is gradually increased, at some point the torque required for rotation becomes insufficient and the motor goes into a state of free rotation known as "losing of steps." When the motor loses steps, the torque generated becomes zero and the motor stops.
To put it in terms of an analogy, in order for people to walk normally, the soles of their shoes need to grip the road surface, but when walking on a frozen road, they slip and are unable to move forward (become uncontrollable).

Furthermore, in the case of stepping motors, vibrations occur when the motor operates, and since vibrations can reduce torque, suppressing vibrations is an important factor in rotating the motor at high speeds.
Therefore, adding a damper absorbs the vibrations, making it easier to maintain stable rotation even at high speeds.

Damper mounting type

Mounting surface damper

A rubber damper, which is an anti-vibration material, is used on the motor mounting surface.
By isolating the motor vibration from the housing, it is effective in reducing vibration and noise. It also provides stable torque at high speeds. If heat generation from the motor becomes a problem, a heat sink can be installed as a heat countermeasure.

It is used in copiers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electronic component assembly equipment, medical equipment, etc.

Rotary Damper

By installing it on the opposite side of the motor's output shaft, it suppresses the vibration of the stepping motor, which is effective in reducing vibration and noise, and also stabilizes high-speed torque. It also has the advantage of being able to dissipate heat generated by the motor to the device side.
*When installing a rotary damper, the motor must have a double shaft.

It is used in substrate/wafer transport machines, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electronic component assembly equipment, etc.

Example: Commercial printer

This is an example of a stepping motor being used in the paper feed shaft of a commercial printer. In order to suppress the vibration, noise, and temperature rise of the motor, a customized motor with a mounting damper and heat sink was adopted.

We are good at customizing stepping motors!

Please feel free to consult with us about customization requirements and related challenges.
With extensive customization know-how, we can propose functional improvements. 
Through SANYO DENKI’s customization, we help enhance the competitiveness of our customers’ equipment.

* Please note that customization may be subject to certain conditions, such as minimum order quantities. Contact us for further details.

Cooperation:   Sales Headquarters, Servo Systems Business Group,   SANYO DENKI Co., Ltd.