Mechanical engineers are typically charged with designing, building, and applying a linear motion system for a specific machine or process. In doing so, our main concern is with attributes such as bearing life, deflection, and torque. And while we often work with the electrical and/or controls engineer for proper motor sizing and selection, rarely do […]
Servo motor basics
Technically, the term “servo” refers to a function rather than a specific type of device. A servo system is one in which the system’s error (in positioning, speed, or torque) is corrected through feedback that compares the system’s actual performance with its commanded performance. A servo motor, then, is one that incorporates a feedback device […]
Three factors critical to servo motor sizing for linear motion systems
Selecting the right servo motor for a linear motion system is a complex task, beginning with initial assumptions and component selections, which must be checked through a series of calculations and, in most cases, repeated over several iterations until a suitable combination of motor and mechanics is found. Most motor manufacturers offer online sizing tools that make […]
