Hybrid stepping motors and drives

Hybrid stepping motors derive their name from the fact that their construct ion is a hybrid between permanent magnet and reluctance motor topologies. T heir inherent positional accuracy makes them suitable for a wine range of m otion control and industrial positioning applications. This article explain s the construction and operation of the hybrid stepping motor. Power conver ter topologies are presented which are commonly used in hybrid stepping mot or drives. Methods are discussed of enhancing performance beyond that achie vable by traditional methods. It is shown that the fall in cost of power el ectronic devices is enabling further enhancements of stepping motor drive t echnology, broadening the range of applications for this class of motor.