Chapter 3: AC and DC Motors - Servomotors: General Principles of Operation

Introduction
The servomotors used in industry today are used in a closed-loop servo system. To understand how the servomotor is used in the system, it is first necessary to review the entire system. Figure 3-44 indicates a block diagram of a typical servo system.

A reference input (typically called a velocity input) is sent to the servo amplifier, which controls the speed of the servomotor. Directly mounted to the machine (or to the servomotor) is a feedback device (either an encoder or resolver). This device changes mechanical motion into electrical signals and is used as a feedback loop. This feedback loop is then sent to the error detector, which compares the actual operation with that of the reference input. If there is an error, that error is fed directly to the amplifier, which makes the necessary corrections.

In many servo systems, both velocity and position are monitored. (Note: In servo systems, the word "velocity" is often used to describe speed control. Velocity indicates a rate of change of position, with respect to time. It also indicates a rate of motion in a particular direction, with respect to time.) The velocity loop control may take its command from the velocity loop feedback device-a resolver or tachometer mounted directly to the motor. The position loop control may take its command from the position feedback device-an encoder. Depending on the system, both devices may be mounted to the actual machine or controlled device.

The stability of the entire system is dependent upon the tuning of the components in the system and how well those components are matched. Tuning the system involves working with a PID (proportional integral derivative) control. This type of closed loop control is standard on all highaccuracy systems. The main factors in this closed loop system are the gain, integration time, and derivative time of the loop.

The amplifier gain must be set satisfactorily. The gain sets how responsive the amplifier will be during changes in error signal. A high gain will cause the motor to overshoot the intended speed target. Too low of a gain may mean that the target is reached late in the cycle, or possibly not at all.

The integration time allows the amplifier to respond to changes in the error signal, mostly at zero speed. The zero speed error signal is multiplied by the gain setting, and results in increased motor responsiveness (stiffness) and accuracy.

The derivative function is the most difficult to accurately adjust. This controls the dampening or oscillations of the system. This function basically dictates the amount of correction given per unit of error. The error signal can be corrected immediately (in milliseconds), or throughout a longer period of time (seconds).

If there is a difficult part to the tuning task, it would be during the derivative setup. The gain and integration time is interactive. One setting affects the other. Proper setup of the derivative function involves multiplying the position error by the position error rate (how much correction should take place per unit of time). If the system components are not matched, oscillations, overshoot, or undershoot of velocity can result, which means unstable operation.

Servomotors are special electromechanical devices that operate in precise degrees of rotation. This type of motor quickly responds to positive or negative signals from a servo amplifier. Fast and accurate speed, torque, and direction control are the mark of a servomotor's characteristics. Very high starting torque must be obtained from the servomotor. The standard AC induction motor's torque is measured in pound-feet. By contrast, the servomotor's torque is measured in inch-pounds.

In today's servo systems, three basic types of servomotors are used: AC, DC, and AC brushless. As one might expect, the AC design is based on AC induction motor characteristics. The DC design is based on the design of a DC motor. The brushless DC design is based on that of a synchronous motor. The basic principles of the DC and brushless DC servomotor have already been reviewed. We will therefore review the general characteristics of the AC servomotor. Linear devices will also be reviewed, since most of the position systems operate on linear technology.

Introduction
The servomotors used in industry today are used in a closed-loop servo system. To understand how the servomotor is used in the system, it is first necessary to review the entire system. Figure 3-44 indicates a block diagram of a typical servo system.

A reference input (typically called a velocity input) is sent to the servo amplifier, which controls the speed of the servomotor. Directly mounted to the machine (or to the servomotor) is a feedback device (either an encoder or resolver). This device changes mechanical motion into electrical signals and is used as a feedback loop. This feedback loop is then sent to the error detector, which compares the actual operation with that of the reference input. If there is an error, that error is fed directly to the amplifier, which makes the necessary corrections.

In many servo systems, both velocity and position are monitored. (Note: In servo systems, the word "velocity" is often used to describe speed control. Velocity indicates a rate of change of position, with respect to time. It also indicates a rate of motion in a particular direction, with respect to time.) The velocity loop control may take its command from the velocity loop feedback device-a resolver or tachometer mounted directly to the motor. The position loop...