NEMA 23 Stepper Motor (2A , 9kg-cm) – Bipolar or Unipolar

Stepper Motors are one of the core ingredients that make up so many fantastic hobbyist creations, from 3D Printers to CNC machines and robotic arms. This handy NEMA 23 Stepper Motor allows you to control precise movements using 200 steps per revolution – meaning that it has 200 different specific locations to which it can turn before it has completed a full revolution. While this may be less than the 400 steps per revolution other more aligned for accuracy stepper motors could achieve, this NEMA 23 Stepper Motor offers powerful 9kg.cm holding torque which a bigger motor will struggle to do. That’s what makes the NEMA 23 ideal for machines like CNC or milling.

Furthermore, this NEMA 23 is both a unipolar or bipolar Stepper Motor, operating at 2A and 2.7V. You are able to use either a unipolar or bipolar stepper motor driver with this NEMA 23 by simply connecting the compatible wire leads. Six wire leads with clear colour-coding are available to you. When installing a unipolar driver, all six leads must be used. However, when installing a bipolar driver, the center-tap yellow and white wires can easily be left disconnected. Bipolar motors are generally viewed favourably by most Makers for their efficiency and higher torque, however unipolar motors are readily accepted by simpler motor drivers.

While NEMA 23 motors were previously used in 3D Printing applications, NEMA 17 Stepper Motors have replaced these motors in most modern builds and models. As such, these NEMA 23 motors are purchased mostly for other types of machines, due to their larger size and higher holding torque making them the ideal choice for fun CNC Projects.

Typical Applications for the NEMA 23 Stepper Motor (2A, 9kg-cm):

Due to the size and power of these NEMA 23 Stepper Motors, many Makers choose these to operate drills and other rotational components requiring high torque at relatively low speeds. And while these motors can reach reasonable speeds, they can’t compare to motors that have been designed for high speed applications. However, on the other hand, high speed motors seldom offer a torque as high as these motors do, making them a valuable addition to almost any tinkerer’s workshop.

Additional Resources:

• The fact this NEMA 23 Stepper Motor can be used as either unipolar or bipolar opens more options to Makers. However, if you are just getting started with stepper motors and wondering what the difference is between bipolar and unipolar, this is a handy Stepper Motor Breakdown Article by Tech Explorations with a complete explanation to help you make your choice.