Glossary

The maximum torque a brushless motor can deliver for short periods of time. Operating permanent magnet motors above the maximum torque value can cause demagnetization of the rare-earth magnets. This is an irreversible effect that will alter the motor characteristics and degrade performance.

Adjusting the position of one axis with respect to others during synchronization or electronic line shafting.

Programmable Logic Controller is a type of computer that provides hard, real-time control of packaging and other equipment thanks to fast, repeatable deterministic scan times.

A Programmable Limit Switch is a dedicated, high-speed control that converts the rotary motion of a shaft into digital signals. PLS's are typically used to increase the accuracy of material or product positioning or registration.

A method of wiring each component on a packaging machine directly to the PLC. Hard-wiring eliminates the potential for communication delays found on a network.

Refers to the number of magnetic poles arranged on the rotor of the brushless motor. Unlike an AC motor, the number of poles has no direct relationship to the base speed of the motor.

Error caused when the difference between the actual position, and the command position is greater than a pre-set amount.

Portion of the command signals that generates the position information based on position feedback.

Specifying a move by giving a target position, velocity and an acceleration. The target position can be an absolute position, or a relative position from the current position.

The rate at which work is done. וn motion control, power is equal to the voltage multiplied by current. Power= voltage x current. Power (watts) = force x distance/time.

Ratio of true power (kW) to apparent power (kVA).

A power supply unit (PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally use a switched-mode power supply.

Feature that captures the position of a passing mark on the product and then compares this position with the expected position based on current speed. It then compensates for the difference.

Graphical representation of movement. This can be position vs. time, velocity vs. time or torque vs. time.

See PLS

Interface that allows the user to control the motion system according to the demands of the user.

A particular method of encoding either analog or digital information for transmission over a cable. Often used interchangeably with Standard.

The frequency of the step pulses applied to a step motor driver. The pulse rate, multiplied by the resolution of the motor/driver combination (in steps per revolution), yields the rotational speed in revolutions per second.

A switch-mode control method used in amplifiers and drivers to control motor voltage and current to obtain higher efficiency than linear control. PWM refers to variable on/off times (or width) of the voltage pulses applied to the transistors.