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Glite Dictionary
stepping motor

stepping motor

6.3
A small electric device that turns in exact small steps to move parts exactly, for example in 3D printers
  • noun
  • /ˈstɛpɪŋ ˈmoʊtər/
  • UK
translation icon : motor paso a paso
  • The engineer selected a NEMA 17 stepping motor to ensure precise positioning in the robotic arm.
  • phase step motor
  • torque step motor
  • hybrid step motor

Examples

  • The stepping motor (above) produces incremental motion without needing feedback, a boon to disc drive makers.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The ServoStep is an integrated stepper motor that combines a 50-pole step motor, motion controller that uses software downloaded from the Internet, drive amplifier, and encoder.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The step motor is available in sizes 17 and 23.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Each package includes a motor, driver, and power supply and is available with a Size 23 or 34 step motor.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The Controls Division includes drives, controls, power supplies, and step motors.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The table is very small and includes a NEMA 17 stepping motor.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The 3509V is a 0.9-degree, size 14 step motor.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Size 17 stepping motors are for use where a 1.8-degree stepper is required, but high torque is not necessary.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The DC brush and stepping motors still rank among the lowest-cost machines, but brushless motors are making strides in that direction.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The CSK motor and driver package features a two-phase, CSK Series step motor with a compact, constant-current chopping driver.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

electric motor
vsstepping motor
10 3.4

A machine that uses electricity to make parts move

moves in small precise steps for accurate positioning rather than general motion
stepper
vsstepping motor
  • Specialized
3 8.1

A motor that turns in tiny, exact amounts to move parts precisely

has identical meaning but is a shorter alternative name
servomotor
vsstepping motor
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A motor that moves a part to an exact position, often in robots

moves in small discrete steps rather than using continuous positional control
DC motor
vsstepping motor
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A machine that uses electricity from a battery to make parts turn

moves in discrete precise steps for positioning rather than defined by power source

How Precise

absolute encoder
  • Specialized
8.3
micromanipulator
  • Specialized
8.8
stepping motor
  • UK
6.3
synchronous motor
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Surface Forms

stepping motor singular
stepping motors plural

Morphology

stepping + motor

The compound is fully compositional: 'stepping' (moving in discrete steps) modifies 'motor' (a device producing motion), so the meaning 'a motor that moves in precise steps' follows directly from the parts. It is a slightly technical term (often called 'stepper motor') but follows regular modifier+noun patterns and similar constructions exist cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows 'step/stepping' and 'motor' should understand it.

Etymology

Stepping motor is named because stepping means taking small steps and the motor is a device that turns. Each short electric pulse makes it turn one tiny, fixed step, like a machine taking one step at a time, so it is used when something must 'move to a very exact place'.