Home position

How it is used

Used in programs, HMIs and procedures. The robot goes home, is sent home or is 'at home', and PLCs often wait for an 'at home' signal before starting. For machine axes, homing (or referencing) also means finding the zero position after power-up.

Example sentences

1. The cycle won't start because the robot isn't in its home position.

2. Always send the robot to the home position before you switch the controller off.

Common collocations

• return to home position
• at home
• home signal
• homing sequence
• send the robot home

Related terms

• teachIn robotics, to move the robot to a position and save that position in the program, so the robot can return to it automatically later.
• waypointA point the robot passes through on its way to a target, used to shape the path and keep the arm away from obstacles. It is not a position where work is done.
• HMIShort for human-machine interface: the touch screen or panel operators use to see a machine's status, start and stop it, change settings and read alarms.
• encoderA sensor mounted on a motor or shaft that measures rotation and sends position and speed information to the drive or controller.
• PLCShort for programmable logic controller: a rugged industrial computer that reads inputs from sensors and switches, runs a control program and drives outputs such as motors, valves and lamps.

More terms: Robot Programming

• teach pendant
• jog
• linear move
• pick and place
• offline programming
• speed override
• ROS