Re: Do stepper motors get old?

Bryan,
I have a Bridgeport Series I CNC mill, running the original 42 frame Superior steppers. I don't know their exact age, but the drawings in the Maintenance Manual are dated in the late 70's, and the steppers still function very well. Maybe someday, I might be forced to replace them, but I'll keep 'em running until then.

Marv Frankel
Los Angeles

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Bryan Mumford <ng1@...> wrote:
>
> I did a mill conversion in 1998. It has 42 frame steppers. I've been
> reworking it, and I've been told modern stepper motors work much
> better than earlier designs. I asked a motor vendor, and was told:
>
> Stepper motor will become demagnetized, and lose torque over a
> period of time.
> So I would recommend purchasing a new stepper motor if yours is
> over 10 yrs old.
>
> You might expect that answer from a guy who sells stepper motors, but
> is this really true? I know magnets lose strength over time, but do
> stepper motors need changing every ten years?
>