<p>FDM 3D printers need to do repeatable moves. Servos might give better and more repeatable torque, but they don't give very precise movement without the need of an encoder system. This makes Steppers cheaper and easier adaptable in most cases, even though there are some printers that use different motor systems.</p>

<p>Note that different printers like SLS printer do use several simple motors, especially for the system putting down powder, and the tilting system in the new mSLA Prusa uses - afaik - a simple motor doing one rotation per tilting motion.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-11T16:53:55.750Z
2020-02-11T16:53:55.750Z
Trish
<p>Stepper motors in 3D printers are used to move and position the extruder. But why don't the printers use servo motors or any other type of motors instead. Why only stepper motors are commonly used?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-11T22:11:29.643Z
Welcome to 3d printing! Check out this question, its the same as yours and has very good answers https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4154/servo-vs-stepper
MakerModder
<stepper><motor>
Why are stepper motors used in 3D printers?
Somanna
# Why are stepper motors used in 3D printers?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-11)

Stepper motors in 3D printers are used to move and position the extruder. But why don't the printers use servo motors or any other type of motors instead. Why only stepper motors are commonly used?

**Tags:** stepper, motor
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to 3d printing! Check out this question, its the same as yours and has very good answers https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4154/servo-vs-stepper  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-02-11. Score: 2

FDM 3D printers need to do repeatable moves. Servos might give better and more repeatable torque, but they don't give very precise movement without the need of an encoder system. This makes Steppers cheaper and easier adaptable in most cases, even though there are some printers that use different motor systems.

Note that different printers like SLS printer do use several simple motors, especially for the system putting down powder, and the tilting system in the new mSLA Prusa uses - afaik - a simple motor doing one rotation per tilting motion.


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