Pancake Stepper Motor Nema 11 28mm Slim Profile- Suzhou Retek Electric Technology Co., Ltd.

Pancake Stepper NEMA 11: Minimal Length, Maximum Integration

The Pancake Stepper Motor (NEMA 11, 28mm frame) is a specially engineered stepper characterized by a significantly shorter axial length (stack height) compared to its standard counterpart.

This design maximizes the motor's diameter-to-length ratio, providing usable holding torque in applications where Z-axis space is critically constrained. While the short stack reduces overall torque compared to a long-stack motor, the Pancake design is ideal for minimizing the overall volume and weight of the drive assembly, making it perfect for smaller, highly integrated devices and end-effectors on robotic arms where mass and envelope must be minimal.

Introduction

Detailed Parameters and Performance Data

RETEK: Compact Power for Robotics and Miniaturization

Suzhou Retek Electric Technology Co., Ltd. supplies the Pancake Stepper series for designers focused on minimizing machine footprint. We optimize the magnetic circuit (rotor teeth and magnet material) within the restricted stack height to extract maximum possible torque. This motor is the go-to solution for lightweight, space-saving motion control where a conventional stepper is too long, offering a digital, accurate positioning solution in a highly compact form.

Applications

Advanced Technology Highlights

Space-Constrained Applications for Pancake Stepper Motors

Robotic Gripper/End-Effectors: Drives for miniature fingers, wrists, or tooling where the motor must fit within the tool head itself. Challenge: Minimizing motor length and weight.
Portable Measurement Devices: Actuators for internal positioning stages where battery power demands a light, efficient motor.
Compact XY Stages: Motors for the Z-axis or second/third-tier X/Y stages on multi-axis machines.
Barcode Scanners and Labeling Machines: Miniature feed mechanisms requiring precise, discrete indexing in confined spaces.

Technical Specifications

Industrial & Commercial Usage

Technical Parameters (Pancake Stepper NEMA 11)

Parameter	Range / Typical Value	Unit
Frame Size (NEMA)	11 (28mm)	Standard
Stack Length	Typically $ < 25$	mm
Step Angle	1.8	Degrees
Holding Torque (Short)	0.15 to 0.25	Nm
Weight (Typ.)	Extremely Low	g

Additional Information

Supplementary Details & Notes

Integrated Production and Customization Workflow

Production includes advanced automated short-stack winding and dynamic balancing tailored for the low inertia rotor, ensuring minimal vibration during high-speed acceleration/deceleration.

Integrated Lead Screw: Providing the motor with a factory-integrated, miniature lead screw (e.g., 4mm or 6mm diameter) for compact linear actuation.
Custom Shaft Features: Specific shaft dimensions, flats, or bores for mounting to client's miniature gear trains or pulleys.
Connector Integration: Factory mounting of miniature, surface-mount compatible connectors (e.g., JST, Hirose) to the rear motor cap.
Winding Resistance Tuning: Customizing the winding resistance to match low-voltage, battery-powered systems (e.g., 12V portable devices).

Service & Support

Technical Advantages and Core Design Features

Minimal Axial Length: Provides significant space savings compared to standard steppers, enhancing design flexibility in tight assemblies.
Low Mass/Inertia: The lighter rotor results in faster acceleration and a lower mechanical time constant, improving dynamic response.
High Torque/Volume Ratio: Delivers the maximum possible torque for the restricted volume, outperforming many DC motors in holding capability.
Digital Accuracy: Retains the excellent open-loop positional accuracy of the hybrid stepper design.
Low Vibration Integration: The compact, balanced design is easy to mount with minimal transmitted vibration to the machine chassis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Inquiries Regarding Pancake Stepper Motors

Q: How does the Pancake motor achieve usable torque despite its short size?
A: Pancake steppers use the highest energy product NdFeB magnets and optimized magnetic flux paths to compensate for the reduced volume of the copper winding and core material. The design is purely a trade-off: high torque/volume for reduced overall torque/weight.

Q: Can these be used with encoders for closed-loop control?
A: Yes. Miniature encoders can be mounted to the short rear shaft, converting the pancake stepper into a closed-loop servo-stepper system, which is common in high-precision robotics where weight is critical.

Q: Is cooling an issue with Pancake steppers?
A: Because the power output is generally lower, cooling is less of an issue than with long-stack motors. The wide surface area-to-volume ratio aids in passive heat dissipation, making them suitable for many intermittent duty cycles without external cooling.

Resources

Advanced Material Selection Guide

Magnets: High-grade Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets are mandatory to achieve usable torque within the short stack height.

Housing: Precision-machined aluminum alloy housing used to ensure dimensional stability and act as a reliable thermal path.

Bearings: Miniature, high-speed ball bearings are required to handle the high RPMs often required in compact automation while maintaining the short axial length.

About Suzhou Retek Electric Technology Co., Ltd.

Unlike other motor suppliers, Retek engineering system prevents the selling of our motors and components by catalogue as every model is customized for our customers. The customers are assured that every component they receive from Retek is designed with their exact specifications in mind. Our total solutions are a combination of our innovation and a close working partnership with our customers and suppliers.

As China Pancake Stepper Motor Nema 11 28mm Slim Profile Manufacturers and Wholesale Pancake Stepper Motor Nema 11 28mm Slim Profile OEM/ODM Suppliers, Retek business consists of three platforms: Motors, Die-Casting and CNC manufacturing and wire harness. Retek products are widely supplied for residential fans, vents, boats, airplanes, medical facilities, laboratory facilities, trucks and other automotive machines.

Welcome to send us an RFQ, it is believed you will get the best cost-effective products and services here!

Customized Solutions

Quality Assurance

Global Export

Suzhou Retek Electric Technology Co., Ltd.

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