Glossary · Motion control and drives
Motion control
Also known as: Motion control system, Servo control
German: Motion Control
In industrial automation, motion control is the field of controlling the position, velocity, acceleration or torque of machine axes with drives, motors, feedback devices and controllers, usually in closed loop and often coordinated across several axes.
- Motion control
In one sentence
Motion control governs the position, speed and torque of machine axes with drives, motors, feedback and controllers, often across axes.
Example
A labeling machine's motion control synchronizes the label web to the moving bottles so each label lands in the same place.
How it applies
- Engineering: Motion control architectures range from PLC-based motion with function blocks to dedicated motion controllers, CNCs and robot controllers. Deterministic networks connect controllers and drives.
- Commissioning: Axes are scaled, tuned, limited and homed; coupled and interpolated motions are tested at production speed.
- Operation: Operating modes (automatic, manual, setup) define which motions are allowed and at which speed.
- Documentation: Motion control affects nearly every chapter of a machine manual: operating modes, jogging, homing, format changeover, faults and maintenance. Distinguish standard motion functions from drive-integrated safety functions such as Safely-Limited Speed (SLS) or Safe Torque Off (STO).
Motion control vs. drive technology
Drive technology focuses on converting electrical into mechanical power (motors, inverters). Motion control adds the controlled, coordinated movement of axes.