Oriental Motor Stepper Motors: Types, Selection Guide and Applications
By AB Automation Team3 min read
If your machine needs accurate positioning without the cost of a full servo system, an Oriental Motor stepper motor is often the best answer. Oriental Motor is a Japanese leader in small motors and motion control, and AB Automation is its authorised distributor in India, supplying genuine products from Surat to customers across the country.
What is a stepper motor?
A stepper motor moves in fixed angular steps. Each pulse from the driver turns the shaft by one step, so you can control position and speed simply by counting and timing pulses. A standard 1.8° motor takes 200 steps per revolution, and microstepping divides each step further for smoother motion.
Oriental Motor stepper ranges we supply
PKP Series stepper motors
The PKP series is a 2-phase, high-torque, low-vibration range with a 1.8° step angle (0.9° high-resolution types available). It is offered in unipolar and bipolar versions at 24 V, with optional encoders (200 P/R and 400 P/R), gearheads and brakes.
CVD and CVK stepper drivers and packages
The CVD (2-phase) and CVK (5-phase) packages pair a motor and driver with low vibration and an affordable price, which is why OEM machine builders like them. They run on 24 VDC, cover roughly 0.5 A to 4.5 A, and come as pulse-input or RS-485 communication types.
AZ series closed-loop steppers
When you need feedback, see our detailed article on the AZ series closed-loop stepper motor.
How to select a stepper motor
- Calculate the load torque including friction, acceleration and any gravity load, then add a safety margin.
- Check the speed–torque curve. Stepper torque falls as speed rises, so verify torque at your operating speed, not just holding torque.
- Match inertia. Keep the load-to-rotor inertia ratio within the recommended limit.
- Choose resolution — 1.8° or 0.9° — and the microstep setting for your accuracy and smoothness needs.
- Pick options: gearhead for more torque, brake for vertical axes, encoder for stall detection.
Where stepper motors are used
- Labelling, filling and pick-and-place machines in packaging
- Textile machinery such as embroidery, cutting and winding
- Pharma and lab equipment that needs quiet, precise dosing
- Diamond and jewellery inspection stages and cutters
- Electronics assembly, dispensing and testing fixtures
Stepper vs servo: quick comparison
| Factor | Stepper | Servo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Setup | Simple | Needs tuning |
| Best for | Short, precise moves | High speed, heavy dynamic load |
Get the right stepper for your machine
Send us your load, speed and stroke details and our engineers will recommend a motor and driver. Browse the full Oriental Motor range at AB Automation or contact us for a quote.
Need help with your automation project?
Talk to AB Automation’s engineers — authorised Mitsubishi Electric partner & Oriental Motor distributor.