What are the three different drive modes of stepper motor drivers?

 

Stepper motor drivers provide the necessary control signals and power amplification to drive stepper motors. These drivers typically offer different drive modes to control the motion and performance of the stepper motor. The three common drive modes for stepper motor drivers are:

 

 

Picture from：DM870

 

 

 

 

Full Step Drive Mode:

In the full step drive mode, the stepper motor driver energizes both phases of the motor simultaneously to achieve full steps. Each full step corresponds to the motor moving by its full step angle, typically 1.8 degrees for a standard stepper motor. This mode provides relatively higher torque but lower resolution compared to other drive modes. It is suitable for applications that prioritize torque output over precise positioning.

 

Picture from：DM556

 

 

 

 

Half Step Drive Mode:

In the half step drive mode, the stepper motor driver alternates between energizing one phase and both phases of the motor, effectively dividing each full step into two half steps. This mode provides finer resolution than the full step drive mode, effectively doubling the number of steps per revolution. However, the torque output is slightly reduced compared to the full step mode. The half step drive mode is commonly used when a balance between resolution and torque is required.

 

Microstepping Drive Mode:

The microstepping drive mode offers the highest level of resolution and smoothness in stepper motor control. In this mode, the stepper motor driver divides each full step into smaller microsteps using a technique called pulse width modulation (PWM). By controlling the current magnitude and direction in each phase with PWM, the motor can move smoothly between steps, allowing for finer positioning control. Microstepping can achieve a large number of microsteps per full step, such as 16, 32, or even higher, resulting in smoother motion and reduced resonance effects. However, it's important to note that the torque output in microstepping mode is typically lower than in full step or half step modes.

 

The choice of drive mode depends on the specific requirements of the application. Full step drive mode is suitable for applications that prioritize higher torque, while half step drive mode offers a balance between torque and resolution. Microstepping drive mode provides the highest resolution and smoothest motion but may sacrifice some torque output. The selection should consider factors such as required precision, speed range, torque requirements, and the desired trade-off between resolution and torque for the given application.