Equally pedantic: it functions as a linear stepper motor, therefore it is a stepper motor. That it doesn't have a platen is not relevant. Being a stepper is not a statement of precision, it is a matter of principle, does the movement occur in discrete steps or does it occur by continuous movement through a magnetic field? This is a stepper by any practical definition.
it is a matter of principle, does the movement occur in discrete steps or does it occur by continuous movement through a magnetic field?
motor typology is not well defined, so we're arguing a moot point. That said, I think this is a poor criterion for stepping. BLDCs, SRMs, and doubly-wound machines are all steppers by this definition. IMO it is not useful.
All motors which are called stepper motors have one unique thing in common: they take multiple electrical rotations per mechanical rotation. This motor does not do that.
Comments
Equally pedantic: it functions as a linear stepper motor, therefore it is a stepper motor. That it doesn't have a platen is not relevant. Being a stepper is not a statement of precision, it is a matter of principle, does the movement occur in discrete steps or does it occur by continuous movement through a magnetic field? This is a stepper by any practical definition.
motor typology is not well defined, so we're arguing a moot point. That said, I think this is a poor criterion for stepping. BLDCs, SRMs, and doubly-wound machines are all steppers by this definition. IMO it is not useful.
All motors which are called stepper motors have one unique thing in common: they take multiple electrical rotations per mechanical rotation. This motor does not do that.
You could make it move continuously by using an infinite number of microsteps.
The same holds for a rotating stepper.