New Stepper Motor Drivers from Toshiba Improve Motion Accuracy and Motor Efficiency
October 4, 2017
SAN JOSE, Calif., – Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* has introduced three new stepping motor drivers that detect excessive load on a motor and automatically adjust power to the motor to accommodate this load. The new TB67S249FTG, TB67S279FTG, and TB67S289FTG enable motors to move with precision at rapid speeds under various loads - all while minimizing power consumption, heat generation, and system costs.
When motors are loaded beyond their designed driving capability, motor motion accuracy drastically decreases and the motor may be stalled. In general, stepper motor driver solutions avoid this by driving excessive current to ensure an operating margin for worst-case conditions. The downside of this approach is that it results in inefficient operation, increased heat, reliability issues, and higher system costs. Other solutions require added sensors and microcontrollers to monitor motor torque and to adjust the current to meet the load, but this close-loop approach increases system cost, PCB space, and design complexity.
Toshiba’s new stepper motor drivers are the first to incorporate its proprietary anti-stall and active gain control (AGC) technology. AGC technology constantly monitors motor torque and automatically optimizes motor current to meet load requirements - without the need for an additional microcontroller. By operating at nominal currents instead of high currents, these devices reduce motor power and heat by up to 80 percent when compared with existing products without the AGC function, while maintaining motor precision and efficiency under a wide variety of workloads and speeds.1
“Applications such as robotics, precision manufacturing and 3D printing require stable, precise, and high speed control,” said Alan Li, senior business development manager for motor control products at Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. “The low power, anti-stall, and AGC capabilities of these new Toshiba stepper motor controller products lower system costs, improve efficiency, and improve system reliability for these applications.”
Supporting a maximum operating voltage of 50 volts, the TB67S249FTG drives an impressive 4.5 amps maximum current, while the TB67S289FTG and TB67S279FTG drive 3.0 and 2.0 amps, respectively. In addition, these motor drivers include Toshiba’s proprietary Advanced Current Detection System (ACDS), which eliminates the need for a large, expensive high-power sense resistor to save PCB space and lower system cost.
In order to decrease noise and vibration, these devices offer step resolutions of full, half, quarter, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32 steps, enabling fast, precise movements. They also identify a variety of error conditions (thermal, over-current, under-voltage lock out, and motor load open detection) that improve system safety and reliability.
Housed in a thermally-efficient QFN48 (7mm x 7mm) package, all three devices are pin compatible, allowing system manufacturers to design one board to support a variety of performance requirements.
Pricing and Availability
The new stepping motor driver ICs are currently in mass production and available now. For more details, samples and pricing information, please contact your local Toshiba sales office or Toshiba distributor.
About Toshiba Corp. and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)
Through proven commitment, lasting relationships and advanced, reliable electronic components, Toshiba enables its customers to create market-leading designs. Toshiba is the heartbeat within product breakthroughs from OEMs, ODMs, CMs, VARs and distributors. A committed electronic components leader, Toshiba designs and manufactures high-quality hard disk drives (HDDs), discrete devices, custom SoCs/ASICs, imaging products, microcontrollers, wireless components, mobile peripheral devices, and advanced materials that make possible today’s leading smartphones, tablets, cameras, medical devices, automotive electronics, industrial applications, enterprise solutions, consumer products and more.
Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc. For over 140 years, Toshiba Corporation has contributed to a sustainable future by applying innovative technologies to value creation. Today, our business domains are centered on the essential infrastructure that supports modern life and society. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations that contribute to realization of a world where generations to come can live better lives. Visit Toshiba's web site at http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com.
1As of September 14, 2017, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation survey.
Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications.