MOTION CONTROLLER or MACHINE AUTOMATION CONTROLLER - A motion control product used for digital control using pulse trains, multi-axis control using motion networks, and synchronized cam control.
Servo Drive - A device used as the structural unit of a servo system in conjunction with a servo motor. The servo drive controls the servo motor based on commands from a PLC or other controller and provides feedback control based on signals from an encoder or other component.
Servomotor - A device that serves as the structural unit of a servo system and is used in conjunction with a servo drive. Servomotors include a motor to drive a load and a position detection component, such as an encoder.
Regenerative Braking - A feature that allows an external braking resistor to consume regenerative energy from the motor as heat. This feature is useful for systems where the motor is used as a generator during rapid deceleration.
Cam Positioner - A control device that detects the angle of rotation by means of an absolute encoder or resolver and gives an output signal based on preset on and off angles set in the cam program.
PID Control - A control method that matches a feedback (detected) value to a set target value through a combination of proportional (P), integral (I) and differential (D) control. Manipulated variables from the internal PID are used to control speed, pressure, flow, temperature and other items as a frequency reference for inverter functions.
Open Loop - Also known as a non-feedback controller, is a controller that uses only the current state and its system model to calculate its inputs to the system.
Closed Loop - Type I controllers use feedback from an external data source to calculate their inputs to the system, which becomes more accurate and "self-correcting." PID controllers are closed loop.
Sinking - An output device (usually an NPN transistor) that allows current to flow from the load through the output to ground.
Source - An output device (usually a PNP transistor) that allows current to flow from the output through the load and to ground.
Line Driver - A type of output that uses a specialized IC for high speed, long distance data transmission conforming to the RS-422A standard. Two differential signals are output to provide strong noise immunity. A special IC called a line receiver is used to receive the signals from the line driver output.
Open Collector - A non-contact output for DC operation where the terminals on the collector side of the transistor are used as output terminals.
Torque Compensation - a feature that increases the output torque when an increase in motor load is detected.