Product Description:

The NEXTSTEP 2038 microstepping drive is produced by Kollmorgen within the NEXTSTEP Microstepping Drives series. The unit is designed to command 1.8° hybrid stepper motors in industrial automation, converting step-and-direction pulse trains from a motion controller into precise phase currents for coordinated linear or rotary motion. By subdividing each full step, it improves positioning resolution and reduces vibration on indexing tables, feeders, and other machine axes that require smooth low-speed motion. This operating method also helps limit resonance that can appear when a stepper motor runs through its lower speed range.

The drive uses a nominal DC bus of 160 VDC nominal, allowing stored energy to support rapid current transitions while the power stage switches at 20 kHz. Output phase current can be set in 0.1 A increments up to 7.9 A, so one model can be matched to several motor frame sizes without changing the control method. Command inputs accept step pulses as short as 250 ns and pulse rates up to 2 MHz, which helps preserve path accuracy during rapid acceleration. When paired with a 1.8° motor, the selectable microstep table provides a maximum resolution of 50000 steps/rev, and direction must remain stable for 0.4 µs before each edge for proper decoding.

Input demand can reach 500 VA, yet convection cooling permits operation in ambient temperatures up to 50 °C; the controller disengages at an internal temperature of 65 °C to protect components from excess heat. An overvoltage monitor isolates the bus if it rises to 220 VDC, and the brownout circuit removes drive power if the mains fall to 90 VAC. Mechanical integration is simplified by overall dimensions of 5.4 × 5.4 × 2.5 in, while conformal coating supports use in atmospheres up to 90% non-condensing humidity. The compact housing and protective circuitry suit enclosed panels where available airflow is limited and resistance to airborne moisture is important.