Would You Buy an Integrated Motor?

I recommend the use of an integrated stepping motor and drive for experimental purposes. The advantages of an integrated stepping motor and drive are many:

• Appropriate drive and motor cannot be separated. To many times to count I've had to explain to a scientist that the five phase motor in one hand cannot be driven by the unipolar two phase drive he has in his other hand.
• No heavy gauge three, four, six or ten conductor cabling between drive and motor is required for optimal operation at the fastest speeds. Only a moderately heavy gauge two conductor wire from a standard DC supply to the integrated driver is required for power.
• Dramatically less actual EMI spray from the chopper drive motor combination. Without a cable between the two, there is no antenna to couple this notoriously noisy signal to the airwaves.
• Impossible to disconnect an "ON" drive from a motor causing driver or motor damage from inductor disconnect surge. A stepping motor that is not moving may not be "OFF".

Like all engineering decisions integrated motors do have drawbacks:

• Failure of driver electronics requires motor replacement.
• Environment suitable for motor may not be suitable for electronics. (High radiation)
• Narrowed availability options.
• Legacy issues.

That's all I can think of for now on integrated stepping motors.

About to use stepper motors to investigate a new application. Matching the two components together is a nightmare. I believe it will take me weeks to unravel the mistery.

I'd buy an integrated motor-driver system any day!