Why are SANMOTION Stepper Motors used for medical devices? - Sanyo Denki

November 2, 2023

In the world of precise medical device design, professionals naturally lean toward solutions that prioritize precision, reliability, and efficiency.

SANYO DENKI’s SANMOTION F2 2-Phase Stepper Motor System is the practical choice that has set new industry standards. In this item, we’ll explore the reasons that make the SANMOTION F2 Stepper Motors and Drives the top pick for engineers engaged in medical device development.
 

Ease of Use with Sensorless Accuracy

The structure of stepping motors naturally enables accurate and precise repetitive positioning without the need for sensors.
This eliminates the need for feedback from external sensors, simplifying your system and contributing to stable and efficient operation.
 

High Torque For Medical Device Tasks: Positioning, Fluid Handling, And Diagnostics

 

In the medical device industry, torque is a crucial factor. The SANMOTION F2 excels by delivering robust torque that enhances the performance of medical equipment, ensuring precise, controlled motion. Achieving this exceptional torque involves a combination of innovative technologies:

Optimal Stator Core Magnetic Circuit Design: A systematic analysis of stator core components such as back yokes, poles, and toothed structures was completed to design a refined magnetic circuit. Along with the improved torque, iron loss was reduced.

  • Wider Winding Space: By identifying regions prone to magnetic flux saturation and adjusting the dimensions of the stator and its poles, the winding space was expanded, reducing copper loss without compromising torque. (Copper loss, also known as I²R loss, is the power loss due to the resistance of the copper windings in the stator.)

  • High-Residual Magnetic Flux Density Magnet: Adopting magnets with high residual magnetic flux density increased torque without increasing the overall motor length. For applications requiring lower torque, our compatible amplifiers enable precise control by adjusting voltage to achieve the desired current and proportional torque levels.

 

Low Noise for Patient Comfort

Within the medical environment, noise can be a significant disruption. The SANMOTION F2 operates quietly, enhancing patient comfort and providing a conducive working environment for healthcare professionals. Low noise was achieved through two significant design enhancements:

  • High-Rigidity Stator Core: A detailed analysis of structural elements like back yokes and poles resulted in dimensions that improved both torque and stator core rigidity.

  • High-Rigidity Motor: By adjusting the tightness between the stator and the flange/end cap and optimizing the engagement length, post-assembly motor rigidity was increased, ultimately reducing noise. (The term “engagement length” in the context of a stepping motor typically refers to the length or depth by which the rotor’s teeth or other mechanical features engage with the stator’s magnetic field or poles.)

 

Lower Heat Generation for Safe, Efficient Medical Devices

Maintaining consistent operating temperatures is crucial when using stepper motors in medical devices, as temperature fluctuations can impact the motor’s performance, reliability, and the overall safety and effectiveness of the device. The SANMOTION F2 integrates innovative heat dissipation technology that effectively prevents overheating, ensuring reliable performance even during prolonged usage. Eco-efficiency is also enhanced by increasing motor efficiency.

Enhanced Motor Efficiency: The stator core design that reduced iron loss and the expansion of the winding space that reduced copper loss enabled equivalent torque with less input current, resulting in:

  • Stepping motor temperature reduction.

  • Reduction in input current.

Lower stepping motor temperature and reduced input current translates to lower heat generation and enhanced eco-efficiency making the F2 Series a particularly suitable solution for medical devices operating in close proximity to patients.

 

Low Vibration Mode and Microstepping for Smooth Device Operation

 
  • A low-vibration mode function in F2 Driver provides vibration suppression even with 2-phase full-step and half-step coarse resolution settings for smooth machine operation.
  • Microstepping drivers enable smooth equipment operation with low vibration. (2-phase: max. 16 divisions, 5-phase: max. 250 divisions.)
     

Full Customized Solution

Customizing motors with optimal windings that suit the unique requirements of customer devices such as current, rotation speed, and torque is a possibility.
 

Enhancing Medical Device Quality

SANYO DENKI’s SANMOTION F2 Series stepper motor system represents a practical choice for professionals intricately involved in medical device design. On top of the ease of use without sensors, its exceptional torque, precision, heat management, and noise control capabilities all converge to elevate the device’s performance and the user experience.
 

Check out our medical applications page of the TOP-electronics website for more information.

Contact our experts for these stepper motors and other electronics for medical devices. TOP-electronics can support you in many ways!

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