Proposals for Assembly, Processing and Inspection Equipment

Unified Control for Compact and High-Precision Equipment

Discover the benefits of adopting the αSTEP AZ Series for loader/unloaders, transfer processes and machining processes in equipment that handle multiple processes.

System Configuration

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Loader/Unloader

By using a linear motor with an integrated stepper motor and a rack-and-pinion, high-load and high-precision vertical drive can be performed with ease.


Easy Construction of a Compact and High-Strength Linear Motion Mechanisms

The rack-and-pinion system L Series can easily convert the rotation of the motor into linear motion. Although the linear motion mechanism part is compact in design, it can transport a large load due to its high strength processing.

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  • Operation of a Rack-and-Pinion System

  • The gear (deceleration unit) receives the motor of the pinion shaft, and further transmits it from the pinion gear to the rack to convert it into linear motion.

Quicker Design and Assembly Due to Fewer Required Components

Because the rack-and-pinion system requires fewer components for its assembly, it reduces the time needed to design (including material selection, mechanism design and management of blueprints) and assembly, contributing to reducing the time it takes to complete the equipment. Both ends of the rack can also be fixed in place to allow the motor to run by itself. These can be installed in locations where the equipment height is restricted.

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  • Components Used

  • ① Fixed-side block ② Transportation table

  • ③ Linear guide ④ Support-side block

  • ⑤ Coupling case ⑥ Coupling

  • ⑦ Fixed-side bearing ⑧ Ball screw

  • ⑨ Support-side bearing

Highly Accurate Positioning

By utilizing the rack’s moving direction (vertical), a high level of repetitive positioning accuracy can be achieved, which enables highly accurate lifting and lowering of work pieces.

Repetitive Positioning Accuracy (Reference value)

This is the actual measurement value with a transportable mass. It will vary depending on the load, driving conditions and mounting direction.

Product Name Rack Moving Method Repetitive Positioning Accuracy [mm]
LM2 Parallel ±0.25
LM4
LM2 Perpendicular ±0.07
LM4
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Vertical operation is also simple. A model equipped with an electromagnetic brake is also available as a fall prevention measure.

Highly Accurate Positioning

By utilizing the rack’s moving direction (vertical), a high level of repetitive positioning accuracy can be achieved, which enables highly accurate lifting and lowering of work pieces.

Free Download of Support Software MEXE02

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  • [Minimum Step Angle]

  • High-Speed Type: 0.01 mm
  • Large Transportable Mass Type: 0.001 mm

  • [Operating Speed Range]

  • 0~500 mm/s (High-speed type)
  • 0~90 mm/s (60 mm frame size for large transportable mass type)
  • 0~40 mm/s (80 mm frame size for large transportable mass type)

What is alphastep.png?

αSTEP is a stepper motor-based motor with a unique control that hybridizes open loop control and closed loop control. αSTEP can automatically switch between open loop control and closed loop control depending on the situation while constantly monitoring the position, etc. In normal operations, it is driven in synchronization with commands using open loop control, and it exhibits high responsiveness. If, for example, it becomes overloaded and the position deviation is ±1.8° or higher, it switches to closed loop control like a servo motor and initiates corrective operation. Therefore, the motor can operate with high reliance.

Reduces Sensor-Related Equipment Downtime Using Position Data from the ABZO Sensor

The αSTEP AZ Series is equipped with a multi-rotation absolute encoder (ABZO Sensor) that can manage position data in real time. As it is an absolute system, external sensors such as a home sensor or limit sensor are not required. This reduces not only the material costs and wiring time but also problems related to severed lines and false detections, thereby contributing to overall cost reduction.

Transfer Process

By using a non-backlash geared stepper motor, large load inertia can be driven with high accuracy.

Return-to-Home without External Sensors

The αSTEP AZ Series is equipped with a battery-free mechanical absolute sensor (ABZO Sensor) at the rear of the motor. This renders time-consuming sensor return-to-home unnecessary. It will also protect against the effects of any external sensor malfunctions.

High Accuracy/Non-Backlash

Unlike gearheads that use common spur gears, a harmonic gearhead provides superior positioning accuracy not available in other types as a result of lack of backlash (play in gear meshing). The harmonic gear has many teeth in simultaneous meshing engagement, and it is designed to average out the effects of tooth pitch error and cumulative pitch error on rotation accuracy to ensure high positioning accuracy.

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Product Name Angular Transmission Accuracy [arcmin]
AZM46-HS□ 1.5 (0.025˚)
AZM66-HS□
AZM98-HS□ (0.017˚)

Driving Large Load Inertia

Because harmonic gearheads are highly rigid, they are resistant to torsion and are less affected by load torque fluctuations compared to standard motors.
This means that stable high positioning accuracy can be ensured even with large inertia or significant change in the load size.

AZ Series AZM66AK-HS50
Rotor Inertia
NX Series NX620A
Rotor Inertia
405 × 10-7 [kg・m2] 162 × 10-7 [kg・m2]
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AZ Series AZM66AK-HS50
Permissible Inertia
NX Series NX620A + 50× in comparison
Permissible Inertia
30375 × 10-4 [kg・m2] 20250 × 10-4 [kg・m2]
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Integration and Downsizing

Oriental Motor’s geared motors do not require couplings as the teeth are cut directly on the motor's shaft, and therefore they require less space.

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Built-in products
View more about αSTEP AZ Series
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αSTEP AZ Series

A battery-free absolute system is possible with the newly developed ABZO Sensor.
For the driver, a pulse input type, I/O-controlled built-in positioning type and network compatible driver are available and can be selected based on the intended application.
Oriental Motor offers a wide range of motors, including harmonic geared types.

Machining Process

Ideal for Precise Travel Amounts and High-Accuracy Positioning

By integrating the hollow rotor and ball screw nut without using couplings or other connecting parts, the rigidity of the components and the effect of backlash due to combinations are reduced.

2 types of screws are available: Ground ball screws and Rolled ball screws

Integrates a hollow rotor and ball screw nut, and features a structure that houses the ball screw in the motor section, making the product itself extremely compact.


  • [Minimum Step Angle] 0.001 mm
  • [Repetitive Positioning Accuracy]
  • Ground Ball Screw: ±0.003 mm
  • Rolled Ball Screw: ±0.01 mm
28 mm Frame Size Compact Body
  • *The above structural drawing is an example.

Compact Body Houses the Entire Linear Motion Mechanism

Because connecting parts such as linear guides and couplings are no longer necessary, the equipment as a whole can be made smaller. The number of required parts is also significantly smaller compared to self-made mechanisms.

[Configuration Examples of Cases where the Load is Driven by the Same Stroke]

Configuration
Number of Parts
Configuration Image Parts Used
When Homemade 9 Points
When Homemade
① Mounting plate,
② Transfer table,
③ Linear guide,
④ Coupling,
⑤ Fixed side block,
⑥ Ball screw,
⑦ Fixed side bearing,
⑧ Support side block,
⑨ Support side bearing
When Using
DR Series
Table Type
1 Point
When Using DR Series Table Type
① Mounting plate

Versatile Mounting Methods

With various mounting methods available, allowing for flexible mounting options to suit small spaces.
Through multiple combinations, an XYZ unit can be configured to create compact equipment.

[Mounting example for table type and rod type]

Front Mounting Side Mounting Installation with Flange
(Table type only)
Mounting With a Foot Mounting Plate
Front Mounting
Side Mounting
Flanged Mounting (Table type only)
Mounting With a Foot Mounting Plate
  • *Material: Aluminum, Surface Treatment: None

No External Sensors or Space for External Sensors Required

For αSTEP AZ Series Equipped Type*, the compact body allows for smaller and lighter equipment.
Because position data is managed mechanically by the ABZO Sensor, external sensors such as a home sensor and limit sensor are not required.
Regular maintenance issues when using external sensors can also be avoided.

  • Eliminates Installation Space and Wiring for the Home Sensor
  • Eliminates Installation Space and Wiring for the Home Sensor
  • *The DR Series contains the αSTEP AZ Series-Equipped Type, and the PKP Series-Equipped Type. Please check the product page for details.
Built-in products
View more about DR Series
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DR Series

A compact linear actuator αSTEP equipped with a ball screw to achieve linear operation suitable for fine-feeding in linear operation and hih-precision positioning.

Unified Control

A Wide Variety of Operations

The αSTEP AZ Series offers a wide product line, such as motors, products equipped with electromagnetic brakes, geared types, and many more. Electric actuators that combine a motor and a mechanism components are also available. By using common shared motor and cables, the wiring and control are unified, thereby contributing to reduced equipment assembly time.

AZ Series equipped Electric Actuators

Benefits of Unification

  • Unified Wiring

    Because the I/O pin layout is the same, electrical design and wiring work can be performed efficiently.

  • Unified Control

    Since the control method is the same, different operations can be performed using the same method. For network control, the remote I/O and command codes are the same, which saves time and work creating a program.

  • Unified Maintenance Components

    Because they share the same motor, driver and cables, it is possible to reduce the maintenance components kept in stock. It will also save on management costs (inventory costs and storage space).

Multi-Axis Driver

The αSTEP AZ Series multi-axis drivers are available in 2-axis, 3-axis and 4-axis types.
Because motor control of multiple units can be performed with a single driver, wiring to the host PLC can be simplified.


4-Axis Type Multi-Axis Driver

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No External Sensors Required

Because the AZ Series can manage the position data in real time using its built-in mechanical absolute encoder (ABZO Sensor), the external sensors that are required for return-to-home can be eliminated. None of the 5 axes used in CG equipment require an external sensor. Not only does this reduce component costs and time spent wiring, it can also prevent sensor-related problems, such as false detection due to a severed line, which contributes to an overall reduction in costs.

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Reduced Return-To-Home Time

The AZ Series is equipped with a battery-free absolute encoder (ABZO Sensor).
It retains position data even if the power is interrupted by a power outage or an emergency stop during positioning operation. It can perform high-speed return-to-home without the use of an external sensor.

Click Here for Details

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Built-in products
View more about αSTEP AZ Series
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αSTEP AZ Series

A stepper motor-based motor with a unique control that is a "hybrid" of the advantages of both "open loop control" and "closed loop control." Suitable for applications where position, speed, and torque are to be controlled.

  • * EtherCAT® is a patented technology licensed from Beckhoff Automation GmbH (Germany), and it is a registered trademark.
  • * EtherNet/IP™ is a trademark of ODVA.
  • * PROFINET is a trademark or registered trademark of PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO).
  • * MECHATROLINK is a registered trademark of MECHATROLINK Members Association.
  • * SSCNETIII/H is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
  • * Modbus (RTU) is a registered trademark of Schneider Automation Inc.