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Motor Types

About This Infographic

Compares the three motor types you will use most in MicroPython projects: the DC motor (continuous spin), the servo motor (precise angle), and the stepper motor (exact steps). Click each column to see how they are controlled, then use Quiz Me to test which motor fits a given job.

Image Prompt

Prompt

Please generate a wide-landscape infographic.

Render all text exactly verbatim. Do not substitute any numbers, paraphrase labels, or invent extra rows/columns/stats. Where a cell says "None" or "N/A", render that exactly.

A clean, modern, flat-design educational comparison infographic poster, landscape 16:9, titled at the top in large bold sans-serif: "Motor Types Compared", subtitle beneath: "DC Motor · Servo Motor · Stepper Motor — which motor fits your project?"

Layout: a three-column comparison table on a light off-white background (#F7F9FC). Each column is a rounded-corner card with a distinct accent color on its top edge and a clean mechanical illustration of the motor at the top of the column. A vertical row-label strip on the far left lists the ten attributes. Generous white space, thin divider lines, friendly textbook feel.

Column 1 (raspberry red #C7164E): Header "DC Motor"; Illustration: small cylindrical brushed DC motor with two wire leads (red and black) and a protruding shaft; simple side-view drawing. Rows: · Operating principle: Electromagnetic — current through brushes rotates armature · Control method: H-bridge for direction; PWM duty cycle for speed · Position control: None — spins freely; encoder needed for position feedback · Rotation: Continuous 360° in either direction · Typical speed: 100–30,000 RPM (depends on voltage and load) · Typical torque: Low–medium (varies widely by size) · Operating voltage: 3 V–12 V DC · Typical cost: $1–$5 · MicroPython: Two GPIO pins (direction) + one PWM pin via motor-driver IC · Best for: Robot wheels, fans, propellers, any continuous rotation task

Column 2 (deep purple #6A3FB5): Header "Servo Motor"; Illustration: rectangular plastic servo body (e.g., SG90) with a white plastic control horn on top and three-wire lead (orange signal, red power, brown GND); simple isometric view. Rows: · Operating principle: DC motor + gear reduction + potentiometer position feedback · Control method: PWM pulse width — 1 ms = 0°; 1.5 ms = 90°; 2 ms = 180°; at 50 Hz · Position control: Yes — holds target angle; ±1° precision typical · Rotation: 0°–180° (standard); 360° continuous rotation servos also available · Typical speed: ~60°/0.1 s (SG90 at 4.8 V, no load) · Typical torque: 1.8 kg·cm (SG90) to 15 kg·cm (MG996R) · Operating voltage: 4.8 V–6 V · Typical cost: $2–$10 (SG90 ~$2; metal-gear $5–$10) · MicroPython: One PWM pin — pwm.duty_u16() maps 0° → ~2000, 180° → ~8000 · Best for: Robot arm joints, camera pan/tilt, RC steering, door latch

Column 3 (teal blue #1389A6): Header "Stepper Motor"; Illustration: NEMA 17 square motor body with four colored wire leads (A+, A−, B+, B−) and protruding shaft; simple front-view sketch. Rows: · Operating principle: Electromagnetic coils energized in sequence to rotate shaft in precise steps · Control method: Step-and-direction pulses sent to driver IC (e.g., A4988, DRV8825) · Position control: Yes — each step is a fixed angle; no encoder needed (open-loop) · Rotation: Continuous; standard step = 1.8° (200 steps per revolution) · Typical speed: 1–1,000 steps/s; torque drops above ~600 steps/s · Typical torque: High and held at rest (2.0 kg·cm NEMA 14 to 40 kg·cm NEMA 23) · Operating voltage: 4 V–12 V (bipolar, coil-rated) · Typical cost: $3–$15 (+ $2–$5 driver board) · MicroPython: Two GPIO pins (STEP, DIR) + driver IC; step by toggling STEP pin · Best for: 3D printers, CNC machines, camera sliders, precision positioning

Typography: one clean geometric sans-serif (Inter/Roboto style), bold column headers, numbers bold, monospace for MicroPython notes. Footer bar: "Specifications: SG90 servo datasheet (Tower Pro) · NEMA 17 datasheet · general brushed DC motor specifications." Overall: tidy vector flat-design infographic poster, three-column grid with motor illustrations, suitable for a textbook or classroom screen.