What is better for precision? Stepper motor VS DC Motor [closed]

Question

I want to build a steer-by-wire system and I was wondering what is better for precision a stepper motor or a DC Motor to control the wheels of the car. I tend to want to use DC and make it a Servo in order to make it more precisise.

Answer 1

I would have to go with a servo motor. Possibly on a worm gear driven rack and pinion. The servo control system, I would include absolute positioning sensors, (opto wheels) so that the motor control optic wheel is fallows the steering wheel optic wheel with precision. I wouldn't recommend a potentiometer as a command potentiometer, because of mechanical failure and dust might interfere in its future operation. I would also include limit switches so that the motor travel of the wheel never causes mechanical damage.

Answer 2

Your question doesn't make it clear but I am assuming that you want to motorise the steering rather than provide power to drive the vehicle.

Stepper

• Most stepper systems don't have any position feedback. This means that the control system won't know if it has lost position due to a knock or high resistance while driving.
• On power-up the steering would need to do a referencing movement to learn its initial position. Typically this might mean turning fully left until a switch is activated and then moving back a certain number of steps to the central position.
• You can then apply a degree of steer by stepping a certain number of steps in the right direction.

DC motor

• If using a DC motor then you need to implement some type of servo action and control. This means that position feedback is required and a servo amplifier is driven to adjust the steering.
• The servo actuator below takes a 2 ms clock signal with variable duty cycle. Typically they turn 180° with 0.5 s pulse width going fully to one side and 1.5 ms going fully to the other extreme.
• The electronics to drive the motor are built in as is the feedback system which may be as simple as a potentiometer which is driven on the same shaft as the output lever.
• The motor driver will adjust the current required to move the actuator to the required position.
• The servo will "know" if it has been knocked out of position and will self-correct.

Figure 1. A hobby servo actuator such as used in RC models. Image source: Introduction to servos.

Your question gives no idea of the scale of RC car you are creating but larger servo actuators are available.

I would chose the DC motor servo actuator.

Answer 3

1. Well, I can have my cake and eat it too, only for ¥25! : )

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2. For reading materials, I would recommend this newbie friendly tutorial:

   DC Motors and Stepper Motors used as Actuators - Electronics Tutorials

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3. For learning by getting your hands dirty, I would recommend to start with the very popular cheapy US$1 L298N DC Motor Driver Module. L298N can actually drive two DC motors and also one stepper motors, though there are better drivers for stepper motors, eg. A4988 Micro Stepping Stepper Motor Driver Module.

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4. For steer-by-wire motors, you might need big current drivers. I would recommend this also cheapy BTS2760/BTN7971B max 40A+ DC motor driver.

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5. I don't recommend to use or start with stepping motors, because they are too weak to drive cars, though they are very precise to do 3-D printing applications.

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References

(1) AliExpress HK42BYG250-001 Stepper Motor NEMA17 | High torque 1.2A 38mm stepper motor for 3D printer 42 with speed feedback

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