A SERVO MOTOR

A servo motor is a type of motor that has a high degree of precision in

rotation. Servo motors often have a control circuit that provides feedback on the
current position of the motor shaft; this feedback allows them to rotate with great
precision. A servo motor is used when you wish to spin an object at a specified
angle or distance. It consists of nothing more than a simple motor connected to a
servo mechanism. A DC servo motor is one that is powered by a DC power supply,
whereas an AC servo motor is one that is powered by an AC power supply.
What is a servo motor?
A servo motor is a linear or rotary actuator that enables precise position control in closed-loop
applications. Servo motors are not suitable for continuous energy conversion when compared to huge
industrial electric motors. Because of the inertia, these motors have a high-speed reaction and are
constructed with tiny diameters and large rotor lengths. The speed and ultimate position of servo
motors are controlled by a mechanism that uses position feedback. A servo motor is made up of a
motor, a feedback circuit, a controller, and another electrical circuit on the inside. Smaller applications
are best suited for these motors. Because of their high precise control, AC servo motors are becoming
more popular as microprocessors and power transistors progress.

Applications

 The servo motor is built into the camera to improve out-of-focus photographs by correcting the
lens.
 This motor is used to control the robot wheels of a robotic vehicle, producing enough torque to
move, start, stop, and control the vehicle’s speed.
 In robotics, the servo motor is utilized to actuate movements and give the arm its precise angle.
 These are used to start, move, and stop conveyor belts that transport goods through multiple
stages. Labeling, bottling, and packaging are just a few examples.
 Servo motors are also used in solar tracking systems to fix the angle of the solar panels so that
they all face the sun. Additionally, these are employed in metal forming and cutting equipment to
provide milling machines with precise motion control.
 Textiles use servo motors to control spinning and weaving equipment, as well as knitting
machines and looms.
 Automatic door openers, such as those seen in supermarkets, hospitals, and theaters, employ servo
motors to control the door.
 Servomechanism is utilized in power steering, brake systems, and cruise (speed) control in
automobiles.

Construction

A servo motor provides speed and location feedback via an encoder or speed sensor. The error
signal is produced when the feedback signal is compared to the input command position (the desired
position of the motor corresponding to a load) (if there exists a difference between them). The error
signal provided at the error detector’s output is insufficient to run the motor. As a result, the error
detector, in conjunction with a servo amplifier, enhances the voltage and power level of the error
signal before turning the motor shaft to the intended position. Servo motors are classified into AC and
DC servo motors based on the power source they need to operate. Because of their low cost,
efficiency, and ease of use, brushed permanent magnet servo motors are utilized for simple
applications.

Housing
 This part is a 1-inch-thick coated aluminum casing that protects the inner workings of the servo
motor from extraneous contaminants. The housing of the motor is designed to be disassembled and
reassembled quickly and easily.

Motor shaft
It functions similarly to a prime mover, except
that the gearbox or belt and pulley system to which it is
connected can utilise that energy to boost the motor’s
torque while lowering its speed. In most cases, the motor
is built of cold or hot-rolled steel.

Bearings
The motor might benefit from bearings since they
give great precision and minimal vibration. As a result,
the functioning is very smooth and cool. The use of new
greases and ways to reduce fret will enhance bearing life.

Rotor
The rotor is normally attached to the motor’s shaft and is held in position by two bearings. The
rotor is the servo motor’s moving portion. The rotor of the motor rotates in the appropriate direction
with the specified voltage until the error is zero.

Stator
This part is the servo motor’s stationary portion. The stator’s job is to create a rotating magnetic
field that efficiently generates torque. It normally consists of 12 separately wrapped winding segments
that are joined by a single copper wire.

Brake
Brakes are made up of merely a few parts and are used to hold objects in place when the
machine is shut off or the E-stop is triggered. Keep in mind that when voltage is provided, the spring
will let go, so be careful when releasing the brakes because the motor will fall.

Snap ring
After a direct hit or nudge from an undesired force, a snap ring prevents damage to the motor
while keeping the shaft position. The shaft would simply slide back into the housing if it didn’t have it.

O ring
To prevent fluid from entering, an O-ring is put between the two pieces to form a seal. Servo
motors are made up of several O-rings, which are constructed of plastic polymers.

Bearing keeper
A bearing keeper is a portable plate that keeps the bearing from slipping out of place near the
pulley end.

Encoder

An encoder is an electromechanical device that communicates the motor’s speed and direction
to the drive. This gives the operator the ability to monitor and alter certain parameters on the fly. These
are light in weight and small in size.

Types of servo motors

1. DC servo motor
2. AC servo motor
3. Positive rotation
4. Continuous rotation
5. Linear servo motor

DC servo motor
In the fields of winding and armature winding,
these types of servo motors employ separate DC
sources. A tiny DC motor, feedback potentiometer,
gearbox, motor drive circuit, and feedback control loop
are all parts of a DC servo motor. It’s very similar to a
standard DC motor. Controlling the armature current or
the field current to control the motor. Because of the
low armature inductive reactance, these give a very
precise and quick reaction to the start or stop command
signal. These motors are utilized in numerically
controlled devices that are computerized.

AC servo motor
Encoders are built into AC motors and used in conjunction with controllers to provide feedback
and closed-loop control. This motor has a high design tolerance and may provide great accuracy.
Higher voltages are also used in some designs to increase torque. Because of the great degree of
accuracy and versatility required, they are utilized in automation, robotics, CNC machines, and other
applications.

Positive rotation
The motor’s output shaft rotates 180 degrees in this type of servo motor. Physical brakes in the
gear system prohibit the rotation sensor from turning, which is the main component of the motor. These
can be found in radio-controlled water, radio-controlled automobiles, planes, robotics, and toys, among
other things.

Continuous rotation
These are conventional types of servo motors that have been modified to provide open-loop
speed control rather than the closed-loop position control that they normally provide. Rather of
determining the servo’s position, the control signal is interpreted as the speed and direction of rotation.
Servo to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise at varied rates in a spectrum of available command
sources. The application can be found in a mobile robot’s drive motor.

Linear servo motor

Linear servo motors are similar to positional rotation servo motors, but they have an extra set of
gears to convert the O/P from circular to linear. These servo motors are uncommon; however, they are
occasionally employed as actuators in larger model airplanes.

Servo motor mechanism

A controlled device, an output sensor, and a
feedback system are the three essential components of a
servo system. This is a closed-loop control system that
operates automatically. Instead of using a variable input
signal to operate a device, a feedback signal generated by
comparing the output signal and the reference input signal
is used to control the device. When a reference input
 signal or command signal is applied to the system, it is compared to the output sensor’s output
reference signal and a third signal created by the feedback system. This third signal is the controlled
device’s input signal. As long as there is a logical difference between the reference input signal and the
system’s output signal, this input signal to the device is present.

There will be no logical difference between the reference input signal and the system’s
reference output signal once the device achieves its desired output. Then, until the next input signal or
command signal is applied to the system, the third signal produced by comparing these above signals
will not be adequate to operate the device and produce a further output of the system. As a result, the
fundamental function of a servo mechanism is to keep a system’s output constant in the face of
disturbances.

Working Principle
The working of a servo motor is less
complex and can be easily understood. The pulse
width modulation approach is used to operate a
servo motor. The duration of the applied pulse to
its control pin controls the angle of rotation in this
case. A servo motor is essentially a sort of DC
motor that is controlled by a variable resistor
(potentiometer) and a set of gears. A DC servo motor is made up of the following components: a DC
motor, a position sensor device, a gear assembly, and a control circuit. A tiny DC motor is used in the
DC servo motor to drive the loads at a precise speed and location. A DC reference voltage is now
connected to the desired output. Depending on the control circuitry, this voltage is provided to the
voltage converter via a potentiometer by adjusting the pulse width or by a timer. The potentiometer’s
dial generates a voltage that is subsequently applied to the error amplifier. A pulse control method is
used in some circuits to provide a DC reference voltage that corresponds to the intended position or
speed of the motor. The pulse width is then applied to the voltage converter. When the pulse is high, the
capacitor begins to charge at a consistent rate through this converter. When the pulse is low, the charge
on the capacitor is sent to the buffer amplifier, and this charge is then delivered to the error amplifier.
As a result, the voltage provided to the error amplifier as the appropriate voltage to create the desired
speed or position is determined by the length of the pulse. A position sensor is used to receive the
feedback signal corresponding to the load’s current position. Normally, this sensor is a potentiometer
that provides voltage proportional to the absolute angle of the motor shaft via the gear mechanism.

Advantages:
 They have the ability to provide a large amount of output power considering their size and weight.
 It has a high efficiency rating of up to 90% under light loads.
 The motor has a high torque-to-inertia ratio and can quickly accelerate loads.
 It has the ability to operate quietly, smoothly, and with excellent accuracy.
 In comparison to other DC motors, the position of servo motors may be controlled more precisely.

Disadvantages:

 The servo motor’s disadvantage is that it requires adjustment to keep the feedback loop stable.
 The motor will be unreliable if something breaks. As a result, a protective circuit is necessary.
 Because feedback components are required, the overall system cost and installation cost are more than
for a stepper motor.
 To offer the encoder and electronic assistance, a complicated controller would be required.

Conclusion
 A servo motor is a motor that rotates with a high degree of precision. Servo motors frequently
have a control circuit that provides feedback on the present position of the motor shaft, allowing them
to revolve with great precision. Servo motors are utilized in a variety of industries and offer a number
of benefits, as we’ve already described. They have qualities that make them powerful and efficient, as
well as a variety of mechanical solutions.