#Industry News
The power of small steps
How high-precision drive technology masters diverse challenges
A hypercar on the road. A research instrument on Mars. A microscope in the operating room. Three use cases that could hardly be further apart. Three applications with different tasks, requirements, and objectives. At first glance, they appear to have nothing in common; at second glance, it becomes clear: the technology is in the details — specifically, in a FAULHABER drive solution.
Whether automotive, space, or optics in medical technology, these three examples show how the same technology enables very different missions and motions. Behind the varied applications lie strikingly similar technical challenges. In all three cases, movements must be executed with the highest precision, positions reached with exact accuracy, and the tiniest changes reliably controlled. At the same time, the available space is limited, so the drive technology must deliver maximum performance within minimal dimensions.
The luxury of mechanics in the digital age
In the Bugatti Tourbillon, cutting-edge automotive engineering meets traditional watchmaking. Instead of a purely digital cockpit, the supercar relies on an analog display driven by a genuine Swiss movement. At first glance, it’s clear that this is not just about showing information — it’s about showcasing engineering. Behind the extraordinary display lies a demanding technical challenge: vehicle data such as speed, RPM, fuel level, or battery status are captured by electronic sensors and processed by the onboard computer. For these digital signals to appear on a mechanical display with classic hands, a precise bridge between electronics and mechanics is required.
This is exactly where FAULHABER stepper motors come into play. They act as “translators” between digital signals and mechanical motion by converting electronic control pulses directly into precisely defined motor steps. In this way, they move the hands with exceptional precision and ensure the instruments always show the correct values. Remarkably, despite the extremely limited space, a total of eight drives fit into the delicate display unit. The FAULHABER AM0820 and AM1020 stepper motors are used here, measuring just eight and ten millimeters in diameter, respectively. They ensure that digital vehicle data and fine mechanics blend into an exceptional driving experience.
Closeup of the mechanical display behind the steering wheel of the Bugatti Tourbillon, focusing on the three mechanical dashboard satellites.
Smallest steps on the Red Planet
From a luxury vehicle on Earth, the next mission takes us several million kilometers away: to Mars. There, a highly sensitive seismometer registers even the faintest tremors of the planet and enables scientific analysis. The demands on the technology are enormous. After all, the instrument must operate under conditions that cannot be serviced, repaired, or recalibrated. A central challenge arises from the strong seasonal temperature fluctuations on the Red Planet. Changing temperatures alter material properties, which affects, among other things, the preload of delicate spring mechanisms. For the instrument’s high measurement accuracy, precise thermal compensation is therefore indispensable.
Stepper motor for Space InSight SEIS Sodern seismometer
To achieve this, FAULHABER stepper motors are installed. A total of six stepper motors with planetary gearheads fulfill two critical functions: they ensure the exact balance of the measuring mechanics and compensate for temperature-induced forces within the system. Three AM0820 stepper motors are integrated directly inside the seismometer’s vacuum chamber. There, they compensate even the smallest changes in the spring mechanism and make a decisive contribution to the instrument’s extraordinary sensitivity. The motors, just eight millimeters in diameter, are combined with 08/1 series planetary gearheads that were specially adapted for use on Mars. The result is a drive solution that operates reliably even under the planet’s extreme environmental conditions and makes an important contribution to exploring our planetary neighbor.
Precision for a clear view of what matters
Whether in neurosurgery, vascular surgery, or the examination of the finest microstructures: in medicine, seeing the smallest details is crucial. Modern surgical microscopes are used for this purpose and, similar to glasses, are worn directly on the head. They enable a natural working posture while providing high-precision magnification exactly where it is needed. This is made possible by two independent optical systems that generate a separate image for each eye, creating a crystal-clear, three-dimensional field of view. The spatial impression improves orientation in the surgical field and allows fatigue-free work even on the most delicate structures. To keep the image optimal at all times, zoom, focus, and parallax compensation must be adjusted continuously and with high precision. Particularly demanding is the automatic focusing: because the microscope moves with the surgeon’s head, the focus must be constantly adapted.
These tasks are handled by FAULHABER micro stepper motors. For focus adjustment, the AM1020 with a diameter of just ten millimeters is used, while the AM0820, only eight millimeters in diameter, controls the zoom function. The compact drives enable a wearable design while simplifying the implementation of complex optomechanical functions. Optical systems of this size set the highest requirements for positioning accuracy. Focus and zoom must be adjusted with high resolution, completely free of play and judder, to ensure a stable, razor-sharp image at all times. The precise execution of the smallest movements makes FAULHABER stepper motors an essential component of modern surgical microscopes and supports physicians in maintaining an overview even under the most demanding conditions.
Stepper Motors surgical microscope head set for work on microscopic structures
FAULHABER AM: One technology, three missions
Three applications with specific challenges in which the two-phase stepper motors of FAULHABER’s AM family demonstrate their strengths. Electrical impulses are converted directly into precisely defined movements, allowing even the smallest adjustment paths to be controlled. Whether precisely positioning instrument needles in the Bugatti Tourbillon, thermally compensating a highly sensitive Mars seismometer, or enabling backlash- and judder-free adjustment of focus and zoom in a surgical microscope — in all three cases, a stepper motor from the AM series ensures highly accurate motion and precise positioning.
Beyond precision, the motors impress with high holding torque, outstanding power density, and low power consumption. This makes them a natural fit for applications where energy efficiency and reliability are decisive. Another advantage is their ability to securely hold positions without a permanent power supply — a key benefit for mobile or battery-powered systems.
The AM stepper motors also owe their versatility to a design focused on dynamics and longevity. High-grade NdFeB magnets with excellent temperature resistance enable acceleration to up to 1,200 revolutions per minute in a single step — without overshoot. At the same time, the motors are engineered for continuous operation under demanding conditions. Thanks to selected materials and special lubricants that are resistant to temperature and aging, they reliably withstand days of continuous operation at elevated temperatures without compromising efficiency or service life.
