Adaptive Fuzzy Feedforward Compensation for High-Precision X–Y Positioning Systems Driven by Stepper Motors

High-precision X–Y positioning systems driven by stepper motors are widely used in industrial automation, manufacturing, and scientific instrumentation. However, fixed feedforward–feedback controllers may degrade when operating conditions vary, particularly as step frequency changes and the risk of synchronism loss increases. This work proposes an adaptive fuzzy feedforward–feedback controller for stepper-motor-driven X–Y positioning systems. The controller uses a Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy inference system to adjust the proportional, derivative, and feedforward actions according to the tracking error, step frequency, and an auxiliary error-based adaptation variable. The control law is integrated with the inverse kinematics of the platform to generate synchronized step-domain commands, and a practical synchronism-preservation condition is established. Experimental validation on a NEMA 17-based X–Y platform showed accurate trajectory tracking, with a steady-state error of approximately 1.6[μm] for a trapezoidal profile. For a multi-segment trajectory, the RMSE was 0.0749[mm] without load and 0.0760[mm] under a 7.5[kg] external load. Compared with a conventional PID controller, the proposed method reduced the RMSE from 0.1741[mm] to 0.0749[mm], while preserving motor synchronism.