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Home > Nema 17 Stepper Motor

Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor
Nema 17 Stepper Motor

42mm Series (NEMA 17) — 2-Phase Hybrid Stepper Motor

General Specifications

ItemSpecifications
Step Angle Accuracy±5%
Resistance Accuracy±10%
Inductance Accuracy±20%
Temperature Rise80°C Max.
Ambient Temperature-20°C ~ +50°C
Insulation Resistance100MΩ Min. 500VDC
Dielectric Strength500V AC 1 minute
Allowable Radial Load0.02mm Max. (450g load)
Allowable Thrust Load0.08mm Max. (450g load)


introduction

ModelStep Angle (°)Length (mm)Voltage (V)Current (A/phase)Resistance (Ω/phase)Inductance (mH/phase)Holding Torque (N·m)Rotor Inertia (g·cm²)LeadsWeight (kg)
42BYG250-341.8332.761.22.32.50.223540.22
42BYG250-401.8392.551.51.73.40.35440.28
42BYG250-481.8472.71.51.83.20.46840.35
42BYG250-601.8593.31.22.756.40.610240.46

*These are representative models. We can manufacture products according to customer's requirements.

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FAQs

What is the holding torque of a NEMA 17 stepper motor?

NEMA 17 torque depends on body length. Our 42BYG250 range runs from about 0.22 N·m on the 34mm body up to 0.65 N·m on the 60mm body, all at a 1.8° step angle. Pick the longer body when you need more torque in the same 42mm footprint.

What are the dimensions and specs of a NEMA 17 stepper motor?

A NEMA 17 stepper motor has a 42mm × 42mm faceplate — the NEMA 17 size that's become the default for 3D printers and small CNC. Body length runs 34mm to 60mm across our models, standard shaft is 5mm, and full specs are in the table and the downloadable datasheet.

How many steps per revolution does a NEMA 17 have?

At a 1.8° step angle, a NEMA 17 takes 200 steps per revolution. A 0.9° version doubles that to 400 steps for finer resolution. With microstepping, the driver can subdivide each step much further for smoother motion.

What is the max RPM of a NEMA 17 stepper motor?

Max RPM depends on the driver, supply voltage, and load, not just the motor. With a higher bus voltage (24–48V) and a good microstepping driver, a NEMA 17 commonly runs up to around 1000–1500 RPM, though usable torque drops as speed rises. For steady high-speed work, size for torque at running speed, not holding torque.

What driver and voltage do I need for a NEMA 17?

A NEMA 17 runs on any standard 2-phase stepper driver. Rated current is around 1.5–2.0 A/phase, so a mid-range microstepping driver suits it. Recommended supply is 12–48VDC — higher voltage improves high-speed torque. We can supply a matched driver sized and set for the motor.

Can you customize the shaft, winding, and lead wires?

Yes. Shaft diameter and length, D-cut or flat shaft, pinion or gear shaft, lead length and connector (JST, Molex, bare leads), and winding voltage/current are all made to your drawing. A 0.9° version, rear-shaft encoder, pancake short body, and planetary gearbox are also available.

Should I choose NEMA 17 or NEMA 23?

If your load fits within about 0.65 N·m and the 42mm footprint works, NEMA 17 is the right call — it's the most widely supported frame. If you need substantially more torque, step up to NEMA 23 (57mm). The comparison table below lays out the difference.

NEMA 17 Stepper Motor: The Standard 42mm Frame for Precision Motion

The NEMA 17 stepper motor is the most widely used stepper frame in the world. With a 42mm × 42mm faceplate, it hits the sweet spot between size and torque, which is why it drives most 3D printers, desktop CNC machines, laser engravers, and small automation. A 2-phase NEMA 17 hybrid stepper motor delivers holding torque from about 0.22 N·m to 0.65 N·m depending on body length, at a 1.8° step angle. NEMA 17 dimensions are fixed at a 42mm faceplate, with body length the main variable.


Key Specifications at a Glance

ParameterSpecification
Frame Size42 × 42 mm
Step Angle1.8° (200 steps/rev), 0.9° optional
Phase2-phase (bipolar)
Holding Torque0.22–0.65 N·m
Rated Current1.5–2.0 A/phase
Body Length34–60 mm (varies by model)
Steps per Revolution200 (1.8°) / 400 (0.9°)
Weight220–460 g
Lead Wires4-wire or 6-wire

Typical Applications

The NEMA 17 is the default choice across small to mid-size motion. Common applications include:

  • 3D printers — X/Y/Z axes and extruder drive; the most common stepper in desktop FDM machines.
  • Desktop CNC and engravers — router, mill, and laser axis drive.
  • Small automation — pick-and-place, dispensers, conveyors, and labeling.
  • Camera and lighting rigs — pan-tilt, slider, and focus pulling.
  • Lab and medical — pumps, sample handling, and positioning stages.
  • Robotics — joint and wheel drive on small robots and educational platforms.

With a NEMA 17 gearbox the same frame drives a linear actuator or a low-speed, high-torque axis; or add a rear-shaft encoder for feedback.


NEMA 17 vs NEMA 23: Which One Do You Need?

The next size up from NEMA 17 is NEMA 23 (57mm × 57mm). Here is a quick comparison:

NEMA 17 (42mm)NEMA 23 (57mm)
Faceplate42 × 42 mm57 × 57 mm
Max Holding Torque~0.65 N·m~3 N·m
Weight220–460 g0.5–1.5 kg
Best For3D printers, desktop machinesCNC, heavier automation

If your load needs more than about 0.65 N·m, move up to NEMA 23. If the 42mm footprint works and the load is light to moderate, NEMA 17 is the right fit — and the easiest to source drivers and parts for.

Customization Options

Cymotorix NEMA 17 stepper motors can be customized for OEM integration. As a NEMA 17 stepper motor manufacturer and supplier, we produce them to your specification. Common modifications include:


  • Shaft diameter and length adjustment (standard shaft is 5mm)
  • D-cut or flat shaft for direct coupling
  • Pinion or geared shaft for belt or gear drive
  • NEMA 17 pancake short-body version for tight axial space
  • Custom lead wire length and connector type (JST, Molex, bare leads)
  • Winding parameters modified to match your driver voltage and current
  • 0.9° step angle for finer resolution
  • Rear-shaft extension for encoder mounting
  • Planetary or worm gearbox integration for higher output torque at low speed

How to Drive a NEMA 17 Stepper Motor

NEMA 17 motors are 2-phase bipolar steppers, so they run on any standard 2-phase stepper driver. A NEMA 17 stepper driver only needs to handle the rated current with some headroom. Rated current is around 1.5 to 2.0 A per phase, so a mid-range microstepping driver with current regulation gives the smoothest motion. We can supply a driver matched and set to the motor if you want the pair tested together.

Recommended supply voltage is 12–48VDC. A higher bus voltage noticeably improves high-speed torque on a NEMA 17, which is why CNC and fast-printing builds often run 36–48V. Set the driver's current limit to the motor's rated current so the windings don't overheat.


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