A servo motor is a type of rotary actuator designed to enable precise control of angular or linear position, velocity, and acceleration. It typically includes a motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. Servo motors are widely used in applications such as robotics, CNC machinery, and automated manufacturing.
The core components of a servo motor include:
A servo motor is a type of rotary actuator designed to enable precise control of angular or linear position, velocity, and acceleration. It typically includes a motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. Servo motors are widely used in applications such as robotics, CNC machinery, and automated manufacturing.
The core components of a servo motor include:
- Motor: The motor can be AC, DC, brushless, or brushed, depending on the application's requirements. It is responsible for the actual rotational or linear movement.
- Position Sensor: Usually an encoder or a potentiometer, the position sensor provides real time feedback on the motor's current position to the control system, enabling precise positioning.
- Drive Electronics: This includes a controller and a power amplifier. The controller processes input signals representing the desired position, compares these with the actual position (from the position sensor), and generates error signals. The power amplifier converts these signals into the appropriate power levels required to drive the motor.
- Gear System: Many servo motors incorporate gear systems to increase torque and control the motor's speed more precisely. This gearing reduces the motor's output speed while increasing its torque.
- Control Interface: This can be analog or digital and is used to set the desired position, velocity, and acceleration. The interface can receive input signals from a variety of sources, including manual controls, programmed commands, or other electronic systems.
Servo motors are distinguished by their feedback loop, which allows for precise control of the mechanical position, speed, and acceleration. They are capable of pushing or rotating objects with great precision. When a servo motor receives a command, it moves to the position directed by the control signal and holds that position until a new command is received.
