Thursday, May 16, 2013

Understanding Servo Controls


These past years, the innovation of servo systems has been proven to be very helpful to various industries most especially to robotics. Through the use of the servo technology, productions and operations of different equipment and machines have become seamless. Furthermore, by using servo systems, users can easily regulate force and other factors that need specific amount or volume in order for a work to be done successfully.

What is servo controls?
Seamless operation by using servo drive systems can be achieved by emitting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal through a controller. Servos can recognize commands through its radio control receiver. By using a controller, user can send commands to a servo through a series of repeating pulses. The pulse width modulation will then be received by a servo’s radio control receiver.
A three-wire connection enables small radio control servos to be connected—one wire for the control that carries the pulse, two wires for a direct current power source.

Positioning Servos
With the rotation constraints of servos, its neutral point is considered to be the position where the servo has precisely the equivalent amount of possible rotation in the clockwise course as it does in the counter clockwise course.
Users of servo must remember that different types of servos have different limitations on their rotation. But, even so, they all follow the same neutral position—around 1.5 milliseconds.

Practicing Servo Controls
Servo systems works by giving them commands. Once given a command, servos will immediately perform the commanded task. For example, if a servo is commanded to move to a certain position, it will move to the instructed location and hold that position. In the event that an outside force pushes in opposition to the servo while it is holding its position, the servo will resist from moving out of where it is positioned.
The limit of a servo’s force is equal to its torque rating. Also, even though servos will do their best in holding their positions, users must understand that it cannot hold its position forever. Hence, the instructions that were given to the servo should be repeated.

Variations of Pulse Commands
Pulse commands that are sent to a servo will enable it to know what to do. For example, when a servo receives a pulse that is less than 1.5 milliseconds, it will rotate and hold to an equivalent position that is counterclockwise of the neutral point. On the other hand, when a servo receives a pulse wider than 1.5 milliseconds, it will rotate and hold to an equivalent position that is clockwise of the neutral point.

Seamless Usage of Servo Systems
By being familiar to how the servo controls operate, users can utilize it seamlessly. In fact, by using servos, their companies will surely gain a lot of advantages that will help their industry grow even better.


1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the information! I had a friend that was trying to explain the uses of servo drives, but I just didn't really grasp the concept. I think it is really interesting how we have developed such intricate devices that can help perform tasks with a push of a few buttons.

    Zach | http://cmafh.com/categories/2275-1/Rexroth+IndraDrive+Family+of+Drives.aspx

    ReplyDelete