24/05/2020 Stepper vs Servo Motors

Stepper vs Servo Motors

The following will attempt to justly compare stepper vs servo motors assuming the following:

-The motors are of equal rated power

-Both motors we are comparing are of same quality
-Servo is equipped with an encoder
-Stepper is not equipped with an encoder
-The driver is assumed to provide the same features excluding feedback options
-The Servo motors are of DC Brushed type

Keep in mind that this is a comparison only and not a determination on which motor is better .
Both motors should be viewed as separate technologies, both of which are capable motors given the
correct setup and use.

Stepper Vs. Servo Motors

Characteristics Servo Motor (DC Brushed Stepper (Hybrid)

The cost for a servo motor and
servo motor system is higher
Cost
than that of a stepper motor
system with equal power rating.
This feature would have to go to
stepper motors. Steppers are
generally cheaper than servo motors
that have the same power rating.

Stepper motors are also very

versatile in their use for automation
Servo motors are very versatile
and CNC applications. Because of
Versatility in their use for automation and
their simplicity stepper motors may
CNC applications.
be found on anything from printers
to clocks.

This is a toss up because it The stepper takes this category only

Reliability depends on the environment and because it does not require an
how well the motor is protected. encoder which may fail.

Servo motors are availible in a

Stepper motors do not have as many
wide variety of frame sizes, from
size selections as servo motors in the
small to large motors capable of
Frame Sizes large sizes. However stepper motors
running huge machines. Many of
may still be found in a variety of
the motors come in NEMA
NEMA frame sizes.
standard sized.

Servo motors require tuning of Stepper motors are almost plug-and-

Setup the (PID) closed loop variable play. They require only the motor
Complexity circuit to obtain correct motor wires to be wired to the stepper
function. motor driver.

The brushes on servo motors

The bearing on stepper motors are
must be replaced every 2000
Motor Life the only wearing parts. That gives
hours of operation. Also encoders
stepper motors a slight edge on life.
may need replacing.

Servo motors will do fine with

Low Speed Stepper motors provide most torque
low speed applications given low
High Torque at low speed (RPM).
friction and the correct gear ratio

High speed Servo motors maintain their Stepper motors lose up to 80% of
High Torque rated torque to about 90% of their maximum torque at 90% of
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their no load RPM. their maximum RPM.

Servo motors can have very
good repeatability if setup
Repeatability
correctly. The encoder quality
can also play into repeatability.
Because of the way stepper motors
are constructed and operate they
have very good repeatability with
little or no tuning required.

Overload Servo motors may malfunction if Stepper motors are unlikely to be

Safety overloaded mechanically. damages by mechanical overload.

Stepper motors are less efficient

Power to Servo motors have an excellent
than servo motors which usually
Weight/Size power to weight ratio given their
means a smaller power to
ratio efficiency.
weight/size ratio.

Stepper motors consume a lot of

power given their output, much of
Servo motors are very efficient.
which is converted to heat. Stepper
Efficiency Yielding 80-90% efficiency given
motors are usually about 70%
light loads.
efficient but this has some to do with
the stepper driver.

Stepper motors usually have 1.8 or

Since the encoder on a servo
Flexibility in 0.9 degree resolution. However
motor determines the motor
motor thanks to micro-stepping steppers
resolution servos have a wide
resolution can obtain higher resolutions. This is
range of resolutions available.
up to the driver and not the motor.

Stepper motors are also capable of

accelerating loads but not as well as
Torque to Servo motors are very capable of
servo motors. Stepper motors may
Inertia Ratio accelerating loads.
stall and skip steps if the motor is
not powerful enough.

Since the current draw of a servo

Stepper motors draw excess current
Least Heat motor is proportional to the load
regardless of load. The excess power
production applied, heat production is very
is dissipated as heat.
low.

A servo motor can supply about Stepper motors do not have reserve
Reserve Power
200% of the continuous power power. However stepper motors can
and Torque
for short periods. brake very well.

Stepper motors produce a slight hum

Servo motors produce very little due to the control process. However
Noise
noise. a high quality driver will decrease the
noise level.

Stepper motors vibrate slightly and

Resonance Servo motors do not vibrate or
have some resonance issues because
and Vibration have resonance issues.
of how the stepper motor operates.

Servo motors are not as readily

Stepper motors are far easier to find
Availability available to the masses as are
than quality servo motors.
stepper motors.

Servo motors are more

Stepper motors are very simple in
Motor mechanically complex due to
design with no designed consumable
Simplicity their internal parts and the
parts.
external encoders.

Direct Drive Servo motors usually require
Capability more gearing ratios due to their
high RPM. It is very rare to see a
direct drive servo motor setup.
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Stepper motors will work fine in
direct drive mode. Many people
simple use a motor couple and
attach the motor shaft directly to the
leadscrew or ballscrew.
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Because servo motors are

The power availability range for
available in DC and AC servo
Power Range stepper motors is not that of servo
motors have a very wide power
motors.
availability range.

The green selections in the Stepper vs Servo comparison chart above are the selected category
winner as designated by CNCRoutersource.com. Of course, its always up for debate depending on
the motor and usage of the motor.

The stepper vs. servo motor debate is a hot topic among some CNC manufacturer. You may be able
to see many website describing why the motor they use on their product is better. My personal
feeling is that either motor is a capable choice given the right setup. Some say that servo = means
closed loop system. However, I have seen many closed loop stepper systems as well. I think the
debate of stepper vs servo motors is pointless. Use the information above to help guide your
decision. Most will be swayed by cost alone. If you feel any of this information is in error, please let
us know.

Return to the Motors section from Stepper vs Servo Motors section. Least simplicity

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