In an open-loop CNC control system, which component generates movement pulses to drive the axes?

In an open-loop CNC control system, which component generates movement pulses to drive the axes?

• A. Stepper Motor
• B. Servo Motor
• C. DC Motor
• D. Brushless Motor

Answer: (A)

In open-loop CNC control, motion is commanded by a stream of digital pulses that tell the drive exactly how far to move. The stepper motor is the one designed to respond directly to those pulses: each pulse moves the shaft by a fixed step, so the controller can position the axis by counting steps. Because there’s no feedback to correct errors, this fixed-step behavior makes stepper motors ideal for open-loop systems. Other motor types, like servo, DC, or brushless motors, typically rely on feedback to achieve precise positioning, which is more characteristic of closed-loop setups. So the motor that best fits the pulse-driven, open-loop approach is the stepper motor.

In open-loop CNC control, motion is commanded by a stream of digital pulses that tell the drive exactly how far to move. The stepper motor is the one designed to respond directly to those pulses: each pulse moves the shaft by a fixed step, so the controller can position the axis by counting steps. Because there’s no feedback to correct errors, this fixed-step behavior makes stepper motors ideal for open-loop systems. Other motor types, like servo, DC, or brushless motors, typically rely on feedback to achieve precise positioning, which is more characteristic of closed-loop setups. So the motor that best fits the pulse-driven, open-loop approach is the stepper motor.