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Hybrid Motors

Position Sensor Selection Guide

A hybrid stepping motor position sensor provides critical insight into your stepper motor’s position, rotation distance, and speed. We offer a range of encoders, each designed with distinct features and advantages. In this guide, our expert engineers at NMB Technologies Corp. will help you choose the right hybrid motor position sensor tailored to your specific application.

Flow Chart for Selecting a Position Sensor

Position Sensor Selection Guide

Our Lineup of Hybrid Stepping Motors with Position Sensors

Sensor Type

Hall IC

Optical Encoder

Magnetic Encoder

Magnetic Absolute

Sensor Type

Series

Hall IC

S Series

Optical Encoder

IG Series

Magnetic Encoder

N/K Series

Magnetic Absolute

M Series

Sensor Type

Description

Hall IC

Two-phase hybrid stepping motor equipped with Hall ICs spaced 60° apart.

Optical Encoder

Two-phase stepping motor equipped with a 400CPR optical encoder.

Magnetic Encoder

Two-phase stepping motor equipped with a magnetic encoder with 4,000CPR max. resolution

Magnetic Absolute

Features a slim magnetic absolute encoder that retains position without power.

Sensor Type

Motor size (mm)

Hall IC

42, 56

Optical Encoder

25, 35, 42, 56

Magnetic Encoder

20, 25, 28, 35, 42, 56

Magnetic Absolute

28, 42, 56

Sensor Type

Output specifications

Hall IC

Incremental

Optical Encoder

Incremental

Magnetic Encoder

Incremental

Magnetic Absolute

Incremental

Absolute

Sensor Type

Output signal

Hall IC

1ch

Optical Encoder

2ch (A/B phase)

Magnetic Encoder

3ch (A/B/Z phase)

Magnetic Absolute

3ch (A/B/Z phase)

Sensor Type

Interface

Hall IC

-

Optical Encoder

-

Magnetic Encoder

-

Magnetic Absolute

Serial communication RS485 Modbus RTU

Sensor Type

Output method

Hall IC

Open collector

Optical Encoder

TTL

Magnetic Encoder

Differential line driver

Magnetic Absolute

Differential line driver

Sensor Type

Output data

Hall IC

-

Optical Encoder

-

Magnetic Encoder

-

Magnetic Absolute

14-bit detection

Sensor Type

Resolution (cpr)

Hall IC

1 to 6 (default 6)

Optical Encoder

400

Magnetic Encoder

1 to 4,000 (default 4,000)

Magnetic Absolute

2 to 4,000 (default 4,000)

Sensor Type

Absolute detection amount

Hall IC

-

Optical Encoder

-

Magnetic Encoder

Single revolution detection possible (K series only)

Magnetic Absolute

Single revolution

Multi-rotation detection

□28: 200 rotations

□42,56: 1,000 rotations

Sensor Type

Application examples

Hall IC

Liquid pumps, belt conveyors, polishing machines

Optical Encoder

belt conveyors, syringe pumps, rotating tables

Magnetic Encoder

Ophthalmoscopy device, XYZ stage

Magnetic Absolute

Butterfly valves, variable resistors

Need help choosing? Connect with our engineers today. Contact Us

Application Examples

hybrid motor pump application

Pump

Position sensor type: Hall IC “S” Series

Step-out detection is possible for pumps that rotate in a single direction. This is well-suited for applications where rotation needs to be monitored, but precise position or direction of rotation is not necessary.

  • Dishwasher pumps
  • Medical pumps
  • Dispenser pumps
hybrid motor belt conveyor

Belt Conveyor

Position sensor type: Optical Encoder “IG” Series

Supports bidirectional rotation making it ideal for infinite feed applications that require angle detection without the need for high precision, origin signal, or speed data.

  • Medical specimen transport conveyor
  • Food transport conveyor
  • Product sorting conveyor
hybrid motor electric slider

Electric Slider

Position sensor type: Magnetic Encoder “N, K” Series

Recommended for finite-length feed applications with bidirectional rotation. Ideal for high-precision angle detection, origin signals, and rotation speed monitoring.

  • XYZ robot
  • Electric actuator
  • Precision positioning device

 

hybrid motor flow regulating valve

Flow Regulating Valve

Position sensor type: Magnetic Absolute Encoder “M” Series

Recommended for limited-range applications where position data must be retained during power loss. Ideal when resuming operation without returning to the origin.

  • Semiconductor gas valve
  • Water flow control valve
  • Chemical liquid control valve
Ready to select a hybrid motor with position sensor? See Products
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