What type of electric motor is often used for precise position control?

Stepper motors are specifically designed for applications requiring precise position control. They operate by dividing a full rotation into equal steps, allowing for accurate positioning and repeatability. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications in robotics, CNC machinery, and other systems where detailed movement and control are essential.

Induction motors, while robust and widely used in industrial applications, do not provide the precision needed for position control because they rely on continuous rotary motion rather than discrete steps. Synchronous motors can provide some level of control due to their ability to maintain synchronization with the frequency of the supply current; however, they typically lack the fine control inherent to stepper motors. Universal motors are versatile and can run on both AC and DC but are not designed for the precise positioning that stepper motors can achieve.

In summary, the stepper motor's capability to control movement in defined increments is what makes it the preferred choice for applications demanding accuracy in position control.