Stepper Motor Power Electronics Based Test Bench Drive

Abstract

This research project focuses on developing a power electronics-based test bench drive for stepper motors to improve their working efficiency, reliability, and accuracy. The project aims to achieve better output from the stepper motor using a three-axis motion simulator, which would help in achieving precise position accuracy. Additionally, a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) will be developed to control the electronic system operations, making it more efficient in the working environment. The project outcome is expected to increase precision, and after its completion, it would be easier to make drives for any type of motor, and their speed and position could be easily controlled. The research plan involved studying the working of different stepper motors, DC motors, their configuration, and different software that could achieve accurate position and angle. The analysis phase suggested that stepper motors are better suited to achieve accuracy and position. In the design phase, two stepper motors were operated in the open loop using Arduino and drivers, and after detecting errors using proximity sensors, the third axis was added to control all three stepper motors in a coordinated manner. In the implementation phase, the three stepper motors were wirelessly connected to rechargeable batteries and a user interface that controlled data through software. The developed power electronics-based stepper motor drive achieved position control and high accuracy, making it efficient and reliable.