Aerotech SOLOIST, Hardware Manual

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Glossary of Terms Soloist Hardware Manual
A-6 www.aerotech.com
Life
The minimum rated lifetime of a stage at maximum
payload while maintaining positioning specifications.
Limit Switch A sensor used to determine the end of travel on a linear
motion assembly.
Limits Sensors called limits that alert the control electronics that
the physical end of travel is being approached and
motion should stop.
Linear Motor A motor consisting of 2 parts, typically a moving coil
and stationary magnet track. When driven with a
standard servo amplifier, it creates a thrust force along
the longitudinal axis of the magnet track.
Load Carrying Capability
The maximum recommended payload that does not
degrade the listed specifications for a mechanical stage.
Master-Slave Type of coordinated motion control where the master
axis position is used to generate one or more slave axis
position commands.
MMI Man Machine Interface used as a means of getting
operator data into the system. (See HMI)
Motion Profile A method of describing a process in terms of velocity,
time, and position.
Motor Brush The conductive element in a DC brush-type motor used
to transfer current to the internal windings.
Motor, Brushless
Type of direct current motor that utilizes electronic
commutation rather than brushes to transfer current.
Motor, Stepping Specialized motor that allows discrete positioning
without feedback. Used for noncritical, low power
applications, since positional information is easily lost if
acceleration or velocity limits are exceeded.
NC Numerical Control. Automated equipment or process
used for contouring or positioning. (See CNC)
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturer
’
s Association. Sets
standards for motors and other industrial electrical
equipment.
Non-Volatile Memory
Memory in a system that maintains information when
power is removed.
Open Collector A signal output that is performed with a transistor. Open
collector output acts like a switch closure with one end
of the switch at circuit common potential and the other
end of the switch accessible.
Open Loop
Control circuit that has an input signal only, and thus
cannot make any corrections based on external
influences.