The aim of many applications using variable-speed drives is to control motion. This may be simple rotary speed control of a single motor or the movement of an object through a complex profile in three dimensions involving the coordinated movement of several motors. This section focuses on the profiler and its use in single- and multi-axis systems. Rotary motion control will be used as an example unless otherwise stated, but all the principles discussed apply equally to linear motion. The function of the profiler is to take the required motion and provide appropriate speed and position references for the axis.

Inspec keywords: machine control; motion control; angular velocity control; motor drives; variable speed drives

Other keywords: single-axis system; linear motion; rotary speed control; variable-speed drive; multiaxis system; profiler; rotary motion control; control techniques drive; control handbook

Subjects: Drives