Astrosyn designs injection-moulded stepper motors

This method of construction makes more space available internally, enabling the motors to be thinner while producing greater torque.

Astrosyn said that a 30 per cent increase in efficiency is possible because the space-saving design enables the use of more windings with lower resistance, resulting in a 27 per cent reduction in temperature rise.

The technique is also said to allow greater precision in assembly, leading to improved step angle accuracy - typically 2.5 per cent compared with 4-5 per cent in competitor models, according to the company.

A further feature of the design is that noise generated by vibration between the stator and the winding is eliminated since the injection-moulding technique effectively locks the parts into a single unit.

Noise is further reduced by the use of significantly larger bearings, which also increases the available load as well as prolonging working life.

The reduced size is particularly beneficial with smaller motors, which are typically used in applications such as security cameras, stage lighting, medical equipment, semiconductor manufacture and office automation products such as scanners and printers.

The motors are available in NEMA sizes 14-23.