Product Description:

The NEXTSTEP-240 is a microstepping drive produced by Kollmorgen within the NEXTSTEP Microstepping Drives series. It operates as a digital power stage for 2-phase hybrid permanent-magnet step motors and translates high-resolution command pulses into precise motor motion for industrial automation axes. This type of drive is suited to positioning tasks where smooth low-speed travel, repeatable indexing, and accurate stop points matter, such as compact transfer slides, metering systems, and laboratory automation. Input power is limited to 500 VA, and the drive can regulate motor inductance up to 240 mH.

The drive’s bus link is rated at 320 VDC nominal, while its input accepts single-phase mains up to 240 VAC. This arrangement lets the internal power section store energy and reduce the effect of short line disturbances during normal operation. Maximum motor phase current reaches 3.9 A in 0.1 A programmable increments, so torque can be matched to the motor without excessive heating. Position granularity extends to 50,000 steps/rev, which improves low-speed smoothness and supports finer linear displacement when the motor is connected to screws, belts, or gearheads. The command interface processes up to 2 MHz of incoming step pulses, and each step pulse must remain active for at least 250 ns.

The inverter switches at 20 kHz, which helps keep audible noise low during operation. The direction signal must lead the pulse by 0.4 µs, so the control source has to present command edges in the proper sequence for reliable motion. The unit supports continuous operation up to 50 °C and trips at 65 °C to protect the drive and connected motor from excessive heat. These operating limits suit pick-and-place heads, labeling stations, and metering pumps that depend on repeatable step control during frequent starts, stops, and short positioning moves.