How in depth can the programming of the standard range of Zikodrive Controllers be?

How in depth can the programming of the standard range of Zikodrive Controllers be? One of the main advantages of using Zikodrive Motor Controllers over many similar manufacturers is that our motor controllers are fully programmable and that we can help you out with the programming. Programming basic parameters on a stepper motor driver… At […]

How does back-EMF control of sensorless brushless motors work?

How does back-EMF control of sensorless brushless motors work? Back EMF stands for Back Electromotive Force. In simple terms, the Back EMF is an electromotive force which occurs as the motor turns and acts like a generator. Critically the Back EMF can be measured and is directly proportional to the speed of the motor. An […]

What is the difference between a single shaft and dual shaft motor?

What is the difference between a single shaft and dual shaft motor? Quite simply a single shaft motor has one shaft which comes out of the face of the motor and a dual shaft motor has the shaft coming out of the face and rear of the motor. The single shaft is a straight forward […]

Can I replace a brushed DC motor with a brushless (BLDC) motor and controller?

Can I replace a brushed DC motor with a brushless (BLDC) motor and controller? Yes. Many companies are increasingly replacing brushed DC motors with brushless DC motors in a wide range of systems. The key to making the transition successful is knowing the performance characteristics and key specifications of the motor that you are wanting […]

Why choose a brushless (BLDC) motor?

Why choose a brushless (BLDC) motor? Brushless DC (BLDC) motors can generally be said to offer improved performance and life than brushed DC motors. The absence of brushes and friction within the motor is at the heart of this. Firstly, brushes add friction. This reduces the overall top speeds which can be achieved in a […]

What is a sensorless BLDC motor?

What is a sensorless BLDC motor? A sensorless brushless DC motor (sensorless BLDC motor) is quite simply a brushless DC without hall effect sensors. Hall effect sensors are sensors which are built into sensored motors which are used to tell the controller exactly what the rotor position is. This can be useful for maintaining set […]

What is a sensored BLDC motor?

What is a sensored BLDC motor? A sensored BLDC motor is a brushless DC motor with inbuilt positional sensors (called hall effect sensors). These sensors can be used by a controller to monitor the exact position of the rotor and are therefore a useful method of maintain speed. These sensors are also particularly useful during […]

Motor Frame Size Guide

motor frame size guide The frame size of motors is used for both stepper motors and brushless DC motors. The length of the motor will vary but the frame size simply refers to the diameter of the motor face. Frame sizes are split up into NEMA (National Electronic Manufacturers Association) ratings which are a useful […]

Can I maintain a fixed speed under variable load?

Can I maintain a fixed speed under variable load? Quite simply, yes. There are several ways to do this. Using an Encoder, a pot or Hall Effect Sensors By using an encoder or pot on the back of a motor it is possible to actively monitor the exact speed of the motor and adjust it […]

What is a torque/speed curve and how does it affect what I need?

What is a torque/speed curve and how does it affect what I need? A torque/speed curve plots the torque of a motor against the speed that it is going at. The relationship between the torque and the speed is critical to choosing the right motor for your application. Consider the torque/speed curve below for a […]