Advanced Technology at Affordable Prices

Oriental Motor has developed and patented a compact, low-cost, battery-free mechanical type absolute sensor. The AlphaStep AZ Series is available at affordable prices and can contribute to improved productivity and cost reductions.

Mechanical-Type Encoder (No Battery Required)

A mechanical sensor composed of multiple gears is employed. Positioning information is detected by recognizing the angle of the individual gears. As a result, it does not require a battery.

Multiple-Rotation Absolute System*

Absolute position detection is possible with ±900 rotations (1800 rotations) of the motor shaft from the home position.

Home Setting Method*

The home position can be easily set by pressing a switch on the drivers surface, which is saved by the Mechanical Absolute Encoder. In addition, home setting is possible with the MEXE02 data setting software or external input signal.

Home position is easy to adjust by moving the motor to a desired position manually.

*Requires AZ Series Driver

No External Sensors Required

Positional information is managed mechanically. External sensors such as home sensor and the limit sensor are not needed.

Reduced Cost

Sensor costs and wiring costs can be reduced, allowing for lower system costs.

Simple Wiring

Wiring is simplified and the degree of freedom for equipment design is increased.

Not Affected by Sensor Malfunctions

There is no concern about sensor malfunctions (when operating in environments filled with oil mist or filled with metal pieces due to metal processing), sensor failures or sensor wire disconnections.

Improved Return-to-Home Accuracy

Home position accuracy is increase because the return-to-home operation is performed regardless of any variations in home sensor sensitivity.

Shortened Reset Time - High Speed Return-to-Home

Because return-to-home is possible without an external sensor, return-to-home can be performed at high speed without taking the sensor sensitivity into account, allowing for a shortened machine cycle.

Energy Saving

Heat generation is reduced thanks to the high efficiency motor, resulting in energy savings.

Lower Heat Generation

Heat generation by the motor has been significantly reduced through higher efficiency.

What is the Output of αSTEP?

"Rated Output" is not listed because AlphaStep has no "rated speed". Refer to the graph below to compare rate torque of the AlphaStep to Watts of of servo motor's rated output torque.

What is the Stopping Accuracy of αSTEP?

The stopping accuracy of a typical AlphaStep is ±0.05° (under no load), which is equivalent to that of servo motors. The graphs below show the actual measured stopping accuracies when an AlphaStep and an AC servo motor were rotated once.

High Speed, Low Backlash Gears

This geared type is made with a simple spur gear design. The torque and speed have been improved.

Because of its high accuracy, this type has the same level of accuracy when compared to our tapered (TH) type without the added cost of tapering.

High Torque, Low Backlash Gears

The PS gear mechanism is comprised primarily of a sun gear, planetary gears and an internal tooth gear. The planetary gears design allow for higher output torque.

There are gears inside used to distribute torque, which allows for higher torque than a spur gear design. The PS gear uses a higher accuracy gear design which provides for a lower backlash when compared to a spur gear design.

Higher Torque, Lower Backlash Gears

The PLE Series gearhead employs optimized planetary gear mechanism and is composed of fully hardened gears. Sun gear and planetary gears are honed (precision final machining after heat treatment). This technology guarantees extremely high torque density, long life, low backlash, and so on.

*Motor and Gearhead ship separately and must be assembled using the included gasket and screws

High Accuracy, Non-backlash Gears

The HPG gear combine a harmonic and planetary gear speed-reduction mechanism allowing for high positioning accuracy, high permissible torque and high maximum instantaneous torque. The HPG Gears are available with a center shaft or surface mount to meet the needs of various applications.

The right-angle FC geared type is a compact orthogonal shaft geared motor made up of a disc-shaped gear (face gear) meshing with a spur gear. By combining it with an AZ series motor, high precision, high strength and space savings is possible at an affordable price.

High Accuracy, Non-Backlash Performance Gears

The mechanical life, permissible torque and maximum torque are improved (compared with conventional models).

Improved Rate Life (Twice the length of conventional models)

The rate life has been increased from 5,000 hours (conventional model) to 10,000 hours.
[Except for 1.65 in. (42 mm) frame size]

The harmonic gear utilizes the metal’s electrodynamics property. It is comprised of three basic components, a wave generator, flex spline and circular spline.

Surface Installation of Load

The harmonic geared type permits installation of load directly on the rotating surface integrated with the shaft. [Expect for geared stepper motors with a frame size of 3.54 in. (90 mm)].

These products have built-in power-off activated electromagnetic brakes. When power is accidentally cut off due to a blackout or other unexpected events, the electromagnetic brake holds the load in position to prevent it from dropping or moving. Also, when the motor is at standstill, it can be held by the electromagnetic brake. It is possible to suppress the heat generated from the motor by turning off the motor current.