When a stepper motor is mounted with its shaft parallel to the indexing table, which drive type is typically used between the motor and the table?

When a stepper motor is mounted with its shaft parallel to the indexing table, which drive type is typically used between the motor and the table?

• A. Worm gear
• B. Belt drive
• C. Bevel gear
• D. Direct drive

Answer: (A)

When the motor shaft runs parallel to the table, you want a drive that can provide a large reduction in a compact, straight-line arrangement and keep the table position fixed when power is removed. A worm gear drive does exactly that. The motor carries a worm that meshes with a worm wheel on the table, delivering a high gear reduction in a short axial length and changing the drive direction as needed for the layout. More importantly, many worm gear designs are self-locking, meaning the table is unlikely to back-drive if the motor is not powered. This combination—high reduction in a small footprint plus reliable holding—is ideal for precise indexing with a parallel-shaft setup. Belt drives, while capable of connecting parallel shafts, can slip and require careful tensioning to maintain accuracy. Bevel gears are suited to non-parallel shaft arrangements, typically changing axis direction at right angles. Direct drive would demand much higher motor torque to move and hold the table without an intermediary reduction.

When the motor shaft runs parallel to the table, you want a drive that can provide a large reduction in a compact, straight-line arrangement and keep the table position fixed when power is removed. A worm gear drive does exactly that. The motor carries a worm that meshes with a worm wheel on the table, delivering a high gear reduction in a short axial length and changing the drive direction as needed for the layout. More importantly, many worm gear designs are self-locking, meaning the table is unlikely to back-drive if the motor is not powered. This combination—high reduction in a small footprint plus reliable holding—is ideal for precise indexing with a parallel-shaft setup.

Belt drives, while capable of connecting parallel shafts, can slip and require careful tensioning to maintain accuracy. Bevel gears are suited to non-parallel shaft arrangements, typically changing axis direction at right angles. Direct drive would demand much higher motor torque to move and hold the table without an intermediary reduction.