NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 Linear Stepping Motors Review: Specs, Price and Applications
Updated: 4 days ago
NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 are permanent-magnet stepping-motor actuators that use a screw mechanism to convert rotor motion into linear travel. They are not electromagnetic direct-drive linear motors. The two sizes provide different diameters, reference drive conditions and force envelopes, with external electronics and application-specific shaft guidance still required.
Quick Verdict
Consider these components for a compact valve, adjustment mechanism or other OEM linear motion task where a screw-driven PM stepper fits the available space and duty. Select the screw pitch and exact winding against the force-versus-pulse-rate curve. A 25 or 33 micrometre nominal increment is a motion scale, not a guaranteed positioning accuracy.
NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 Linear Stepping Motors at a Glance
Specification | Details |
PL25L-A24 geometry | 25 mm outer diameter; 28.5 mm catalog body length; 24 motor steps per revolution |
PL35L-A24 geometry | 35 mm outer diameter; 39.5 mm catalog body length; 24 motor steps per revolution |
PL25L-A24 pitch choices | 0.61 / 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 mm screw pitch; catalog two-phase increments approximately 0.025 / 0.033 / 0.042 / 0.050 mm |
PL35L-A24 pitch | 0.8 mm; approximately 0.033 mm per step under the stated convention |
Current manufacturer force-range entries | PL25L-A24: 5–70 N; PL35L-A24: 5–80 N; reference ranges, not constant force at every speed |
PL25L reference drive | Bipolar chopper; 12 V; 300 mA per phase; 14.7 Ω winding in the catalog example |
PL35L reference drive | Bipolar chopper; 13 V; 500 mA per phase; 7.7 Ω winding in the catalog example |
Operating temperatures | PL25L: 0 to 65°C; PL35L: −10 to 65°C in the referenced documentation |
Integration scope | Motor/screw component; shaft arrangement, travel, guidance, drive and position-reference strategy must be specified |
Price | Request a quote for exact winding, shaft, pitch and actuator arrangement |
Design and Engineering Assessment
The screw provides a direct relationship between rotor movement and nominal linear travel, but it also introduces friction, backlash and load-support questions. A mechanism that needs bidirectional accuracy must account for reversal behavior and axial play. Neither a small nominal travel increment nor a 24-step rotor establishes the finished mechanism’s accuracy under load.
Pitch trades force and displacement against each other. With a coarser screw, each motor step moves farther, so a given pulse rate produces more nominal travel speed. The same motor torque then has a different mechanical advantage, with actual thrust also affected by screw friction and efficiency. Choose pitch from the required force-speed duty rather than selecting the smallest increment automatically.
The two model families have different reference electrical conditions. The PL25L catalog example uses a 12 V chopper arrangement at 300 mA per phase; PL35L uses 13 V and 500 mA. Those are identified test configurations, not a license to apply either bus directly across any winding. Select a compatible current-regulated driver and preserve the exact motor and screw specification.
The current product tables list 5–70 N for PL25L-A24 and 5–80 N for PL35L-A24. Treat these as reference selection ranges. The actual thrust depends on pulse frequency, pitch, excitation and installation temperature. A design that accelerates a load, works against a spring or pushes a valve needs the required force evaluated at each operating speed and dwell condition.
PL25L-A24: pitch and travel calculation
The catalog’s 0.61, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 mm pitches correspond to approximately 0.025, 0.033, 0.042 and 0.050 mm per step using its stated two-phase convention. Keep this convention with the controller scale: changing excitation or microstepping changes the commanded increment without automatically improving absolute accuracy.
For illustration, a nominal 0.8 mm pitch divided by 24 gives about 0.0333 mm per full rotor step. At 300 such steps per second, the ideal geometric speed is 10 mm/s. This is a calculation, not a demonstrated loaded operating point; the corresponding force must be checked on the selected configuration’s curve.
PL35L-A24: larger diameter, separate acceptance conditions
PL35L-A24 uses a 35 mm diameter and 39.5 mm body length with a 0.8 mm screw pitch in the reference configuration. Its documentation lists a different drive and temperature envelope from PL25L. Check shaft geometry, mounting and the usable travel rather than treating it as a simple scaled replacement.
The reference performance graph and product range entry do not establish a single continuous-duty thrust for every installation. Select the winding, driver settings and duty cycle together, and confirm permissible heating and load support on the assembled mechanism.
Captive, non-captive and load guidance
Define whether the output is captive or non-captive and how the screw is prevented from rotating where required. A screw actuator must react torque and support its intended load through an appropriate mechanical arrangement. Side loading and misalignment can increase friction, wear and the risk of binding.
Specify the actual shaft length, stroke and end-stop arrangement in the quotation. A drawing’s shaft travel or one example’s maximum stroke is not a family-wide promise. The mechanism needs controlled travel limits and a repeatable reference strategy, particularly if an open-loop command history is lost at power interruption.
Commissioning and position assurance
Begin with limited current, low pulse rate and controlled travel. Verify the direction, nominal distance per pulse and reference behavior before engaging the process load. Test acceleration and deceleration with the real screw, coupling and guide arrangement.
A bare PM stepper does not establish closed-loop load-position control. If missed motion, a jam or a reference error would affect the process, provide appropriate sensing and a defined fault response. Qualification should include repeated reversals, warm operation, power interruption and the most demanding load orientation.
Applications and alternative selection
The manufacturer identifies flow-control valves, antenna adjustment and optical-axis control as application areas. For a valve, the relevant load includes spring force, fluid force and seating requirements. For an adjustment mechanism, backlash, repeatability and holding behavior may dominate the selection.
Compare the component against another screw stepper actuator at the same stroke and force-speed cycle, or an assembled linear stage if guide support and feedback must come as a qualified package. A direct-drive ironless linear motor has a different mechanical and electrical architecture; the word linear alone does not make those products interchangeable.
Applications and Selection
Manufacturer-documented applications include flow-control valves, antenna adjustment devices and optical-axis control. Select these motors as components of a validated mechanism with the required screw, guidance, travel limits and control electronics.
For NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 Linear Stepping Motors, define the actual machine duty before selecting an ordering configuration. Include the required operating point, available installation space, environment and control interfaces. The specification table describes the product or family; the surrounding machine determines which of those features matters for the intended job.
Price and Value
Price: Request a quote for the exact configuration. Compare the product, compatible control equipment, required mechanical parts, cabling and commissioning as one installed system. A component price alone does not represent the cost of a working automation axis.
Evaluate an alternative against the same duty and acceptance criteria. Match the continuous operating requirement first, then compare transient capability, feedback, mechanical fit and support. This avoids choosing between superficially similar products whose ratings describe different operating conditions.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Integrates rotary-to-linear screw conversion in a compact PM motor component
Multiple PL25L pitch options support different travel increments
Two diameters and distinct force envelopes support application-specific selection
Reference drive conditions and force curves allow an explicit sizing comparison
Limitations
Nominal step travel does not establish loaded positioning accuracy
Guidance, anti-rotation and stroke limits depend on the actuator arrangement
Available thrust varies with pitch, pulse rate and duty
External drive and any required position assurance remain integration work
Who Should Consider NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 Linear Stepping Motors?
Consider PL25L-A24 or PL35L-A24 when designing a compact OEM screw-driven adjustment or actuation mechanism. Define actual thrust at speed, pitch, usable stroke, reversal error and reference behavior before choosing the motor and driver.
NMB PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24 Linear Stepping Motors FAQ
Is this a direct-drive linear motor?
No. These PM stepping motors use a screw mechanism to convert rotor rotation into linear travel. Their mechanics, load support and friction differ from an ironless direct-drive linear motor.
What is the difference between PL25L-A24 and PL35L-A24?
They have 25 and 35 mm outer diameters and 28.5 and 39.5 mm catalog body lengths. Their reference drive conditions, temperature ranges and force envelopes differ, so they should remain separate model configurations.
Is 0.025 mm per step an accuracy guarantee?
No. It is an approximate nominal travel increment for a specified pitch and excitation convention. Screw errors, backlash, compliance and missed motion affect the actual positioning result.
Can PL25L-A24 provide 70 N at every speed?
No. The current product table’s 5–70 N range is not a constant-force rating across the pulse-rate range. Check the exact pitch, winding, drive and duty against the force curve.
Does the motor include guidance and a controller?
The reviewed product is a motor/screw component. Specify the captive or non-captive arrangement, load guidance, external electronics and position-reference or sensing requirements for the actual mechanism.
Can the reference voltage be applied directly to the phase winding?
Use the documented compatible drive arrangement and exact phase-current setting. The reference examples are bipolar chopper systems, so their bus voltage should not be treated as an unrestricted direct-winding supply.
How should a screw pitch be selected?
Compare required thrust and travel speed together. A finer pitch reduces nominal travel per step, while a coarser pitch changes mechanical advantage and speed at a given pulse rate. Validate friction, load and duty for the selected configuration.
What is the price?
Request a quote stating motor model, winding, pitch, shaft length, usable stroke and captive or non-captive arrangement. Include the driver, mechanical support and any feedback or reference devices needed for a working mechanism.
Prices are indicative and may change. Confirm the final configuration, commercial terms and delivery schedule before ordering.
