Glossary · Motion control and drives
Homing
Also known as: Reference run, Referencing, Homing run
German: Referenzfahrt
In motion control, homing is the procedure by which an axis with an incremental position measurement moves to a defined reference position, for example a home switch and encoder index pulse, and sets its position value so that it matches the machine's coordinate system.
- Motion control
In one sentence
Homing moves an axis to a defined reference point and sets its position value so it matches the machine coordinate system.
Example
After power-up, the pick-and-place axes run a homing sequence to their home switches before the machine can start automatic mode.
How it applies
- Engineering: The homing method defines the move and the reference signal. Axes with multiturn absolute encoders usually need only a one-time setting of the offset instead of homing at each start.
- Commissioning: Homing direction, speed and offset are set so the move is safe and repeatable. Software limits only work after successful homing.
- Operation: Until an axis is homed, most controllers block automatic mode and restrict speeds.
- Documentation: Describe when homing is required (after power-up, after encoder replacement, after a collision), what moves and in which direction, and which conditions must be met before starting it. Make clear that axes move during homing, so the operator must check the Hazardous zone first.
Homing vs. mastering
In robotics, mastering (or calibration) sets the zero positions of the joints, usually once. Homing is the routine that re-establishes the reference of incremental axes, often at every start.