Can DC motor works as a stepper motor?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

DC motors can be controlled to mimic stepper motor functionality using a PLC, where outputs O:1/0 and O:1/1 manage clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, respectively. Implementing a timer, such as a 0.5s pulse, allows for stepwise control of the motor. However, for precise positioning and reliability, utilizing a dedicated stepper motor is recommended, as they are designed for such applications and are often available from discarded devices like old floppy drives and printers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of PLC programming and control logic
  • Familiarity with DC motor operation and control
  • Basic knowledge of stepper motor mechanics and applications
  • Experience with timer functions in automation systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research PLC programming techniques for motor control
  • Explore the differences between DC motors and stepper motors
  • Investigate drive circuits for enhanced motor control
  • Learn about gear reduction systems to improve motor precision
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, automation specialists, and hobbyists interested in motor control applications, particularly those exploring alternatives to stepper motors for precise movement.

StealthRay
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Can any expert advice if I can control the DC motor to make it work as a stepper motor?

I am using PLC to control the DC motor clockwise and counterclockwise in steps. Output O:1/0 controlling clockwise and O:1/1 controlling counterclocewise.I will use the timer say 0.5s pulse to control the rotation in steps.

Is there a better way,some form of drive circuit to control the steps?

Thank you.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Maybe if you had gears on the motor so that it took 1000 turns of the motor to cause one turn of the output.
Then you could select the output position depending on how long you let the motor run.

But realistically, if you want a stepper motor you should just use a stepper motor.
Old floppy drives, printers and hard drives all have stepper motors in them and these just get thrown away all the time.
 

Similar threads

Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
876
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K