Pneumatic Stepping and Moving

BPS Pneumatic Stepper Motor – Precision Motion with Compressed Air

BPS pneumatic stepper motors generate stepwise rotary motion using compressed air and three radially arranged pistons. The direction of rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise) is determined by the switching sequence of the control valves, while each individual step provides a precise 3° angular movement. As an option, the motor can be equipped with a hollow shaft or spindle, making it suitable for generating linear motion as well.

Thanks to its exceptionally rigid and precise mechanical design, the BPS offers outstanding positioning accuracy. The system ensures a repeatability of ±9 arcminutes, regardless of the number of steps or the total angle of rotation. The self-locking mechanism maintains the motor's position even in the absence of air supply (e.g., during pressure loss or power failure), preventing step loss and enabling absolute position feedback.

The pneumatic operation of the BPS allows it to function reliably in extreme industrial environments where dust, contaminants, or strong electromagnetic fields would exclude the use of electric drives. It operates within a temperature range of -25 °C to +70 °C and features IP55 protection. It is important to note that the motor is only conditionally suitable for directly driving large-mass rotating elements.

Even the smallest BPS model delivers impressive performance: it provides 1.7 Nm of torque with a diameter of just 52 mm. Operation is simple, using 3/2-way valves (with or without sensors), and the system can be easily integrated into PLC-based control architectures, such as Siemens S7-300, for which a factory-supplied program module is available.

All models are equipped with integrated sensing units that signal piston end positions back to the controller, ensuring safe and continuous operation.