Motors and spindles

Many people believe that electric motors, stepper motors, and spindles are one and the same. However, this is not true at all. To help you understand the differences and to ensure you purchase exactly what you need, we will outline the main distinctions between electric motors, stepper motors, and spindles.

Difference Between Stepper Motors and Electric Motors

We won’t delve into electrical engineering basics to define the differences between stepper motors and conventional electric motors; instead, we will simply highlight the main points.

Essentially, a stepper motor is a standard electric motor capable of making discrete movements of a specific magnitude, with the rotor axis position being fixed at the end of each movement. A conventional electric motor cannot do this.

Another distinguishing feature of stepper motors is that their operating principle aligns well with the functionality of any CNC machine.

A downside to stepper motors is that they require a special device—a driver—which serves as a source of pulsed voltage that is applied to the stator windings in a specific sequence. In contrast, to operate a conventional electric motor, you only need to apply voltage to the rotor windings; the higher the voltage, the faster the rotor will spin.

Spindle: An Electric Motor

While many owners of milling and turning CNC machines classify spindles as a separate category, they are essentially a full-fledged electric motor with a control system similar to that of stepper motors. A self-tightening chuck is mounted on the spindle, into which a working tool—such as a milling cutter—is installed. The type and size of the cutter directly depend on the spindle's power.

Depending on power, usage areas, and technical characteristics, spindles can have various appearances, cooling systems, and power ratings.

In summary, we have described the primary differences between electric motors, stepper motors, and spindles in straightforward terms. This knowledge is crucial if you are assembling your own 3D printer, milling machine, engraver, etc. Choosing the right power components and selecting their specifications not only affects the accuracy and speed of the machine but also helps you manage your budget effectively, as different models of motors and spindles have a significant range of prices.

Motors and Spindles at 3DTrade online store

3DTrade offers a wide selection of motors and spindles. We will help you  to find and purchase exactly what you need! We posses motors for small desktop educational projects, as well as serious equipment for professional CNC machines.

For detailed consultations regarding technical specifications and equipment capabilities, please contact our specialists by filling in the call back form. Fill the form in and we will call you as soon as possible for you could choose the right equipment for your project!