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Robotics & Automation vocabulary · Sensors, Motors and Actuators

Servo motor

Meaning in robotics & automation, with examples

/ˈsɝːvoʊ ˌmoʊtər/nounCore term

In robotics & automation, servo motor means: An electric motor with a built-in position sensor, usually an encoder, so that a drive can control its position, speed and torque very precisely. Robot joints are normally moved by servo motors.

In Turkish: servo motor, servomotor

How it is used

Used in machine design, commissioning and maintenance. A servo motor always works with a servo drive (also called a servo amplifier), and people talk about servo tuning, servo axes and servo faults. Shop-floor English often shortens it to 'servo'.

Example sentences

  1. The servo motor on axis 3 is overheating, so check the brake and the load.

  2. We chose a servo motor instead of a stepper because we need closed-loop position control.

Common collocations

  • servo drive
  • servo axis
  • servo tuning
  • servo fault
  • servo motor brake
  • encoderA sensor mounted on a motor or shaft that measures rotation and sends position and speed information to the drive or controller.
  • stepper motorAn electric motor that turns in small fixed steps, often 1.8° each, so it can be positioned by counting pulses, usually without a position sensor.
  • actuatorA component that turns energy, such as electricity, compressed air or hydraulic oil, into movement. Motors and pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are typical actuators.
  • closed-loop controlControl in which the actual output is measured and fed back, so the controller keeps correcting its command until the output matches the target.
  • jointA connection between two parts of a robot arm that allows movement. A revolute joint rotates and a prismatic joint slides in a straight line; each joint is usually one axis.

More terms: Sensors, Motors and Actuators

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