Glossary · Topic
Automation & Drive Technology
48 terms from the field of Automation & Drive Technology.
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- Ball bearingA ball bearing is a rolling bearing in which balls roll between the inner and outer rings, supporting shafts so that they can rotate with low …
- Ball screwA ball screw converts rotary motion into precise linear motion with low friction by means of recirculating balls between the screw shaft and nut.
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- Cable glandA cable gland brings a cable into an enclosure with a seal and strain relief, protecting the entry against dust, water and the cable being pulled out.
- Capacitive sensorA capacitive sensor detects objects and fill levels without contact by evaluating the change in an electric field between its electrodes.
- Circuit breakerA circuit breaker is a switching device that switches operating currents and automatically and safely interrupts overload and short-circuit currents.
- ContactorA contactor is an electromagnetically operated switch that uses a small control voltage to switch large load currents on and off.
- Control cabinetA control cabinet is an enclosure that houses and protects the electrical equipment of a machine or plant, such as controllers, drives and protective …
- Cylindrical roller bearingA cylindrical roller bearing is a rolling bearing with cylindrical rollers that carries very high radial loads and permits high speeds.
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F
- FieldbusA fieldbus is an industrial communication system that digitally connects sensors, actuators and drives to the controller via a shared cable.
- Flow meterA flow meter measures how much liquid, gas or steam flows through a pipe per unit of time, either as volume or as mass.
- Frequency inverter (VFD)A frequency inverter is an electronic device that converts the frequency and voltage of the mains supply to control the speed of three-phase motors …
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- Helical gearbox (spur gear unit)A helical gearbox transmits torque via externally toothed gears on parallel shafts and is considered a robust, highly efficient type of gearbox.
- HMI (human-machine interface)An HMI (human-machine interface) is the operator interface of a machine, usually a touch panel, through which operators monitor and control processes.
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- Induction motor (three-phase asynchronous motor)An induction motor is a three-phase motor whose rotor turns slightly slower than the rotating field; it is the most widely used industrial drive.
- Inductive proximity sensorAn inductive proximity sensor is a non-contact proximity switch that detects metal objects by means of a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic …
- Industrial automationIndustrial automation covers devices, software and methods used to control, regulate and monitor machines and processes automatically.
- Industrial connectorAn industrial connector is a robust, detachable electrical connection for power, signals or data in machines, plants and control cabinets.
- Industrial gearboxAn industrial gearbox is a gearbox for machinery and plants that adapts the speed and torque of a drive to the needs of the driven machine.
- Industrial PCAn industrial PC is a computer designed for harsh production environments that handles control, visualisation and data tasks on machines.
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- Photoelectric sensorA photoelectric sensor is an optical sensor that detects objects as soon as they interrupt or reflect a light beam between emitter and receiver.
- Plain bearingA plain bearing is a bearing in which the shaft and bearing surface slide on one another, separated by a lubricating film or a low-friction material.
- Planetary gearboxA planetary gearbox is an epicyclic gear unit with sun gear, planet gears, ring gear and carrier that transmits high torques in a small space.
- Pressure gauge (manometer)A pressure gauge is an instrument that displays the pressure of gases or liquids, in industry usually as a mechanical local dial instrument.
- Pressure sensor (pressure transmitter)A pressure sensor, also called a pressure transmitter, detects the pressure of gases or liquids and converts it into an electrical measuring signal.
- Programmable logic controller (PLC)A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a digital control device that controls machines and plants cyclically on the basis of a stored program.
R
- RelayA relay is an electrically operated switch in which a small control current, via a coil or electronics, switches a separate circuit.
- Rolling bearingRolling bearings are bearings in which balls or rollers roll between inner and outer rings, guiding and supporting shafts with low friction.
- Rotary encoderA rotary encoder is a sensor that converts the rotation of a shaft into electrical signals for position, angle or speed.
S
- Safety controller (safety PLC)A safety controller is a programmable controller that processes a machine’s safety functions in a fail-safe manner and shuts down in the event of …
- Safety light curtainA safety light curtain is an electro-sensitive protective device that safeguards a hazardous area with parallel light beams.
- Safety relayA safety relay is a switching device that evaluates safety functions such as emergency stop or guard door monitoring redundantly and safely shuts …
- Safety switch (interlock switch)A safety switch monitors the position of guard doors or covers and positively signals any opening to the machine’s safety evaluation unit.
- Servo motorA servo motor is a closed-loop controlled electric motor that uses a feedback system and servo drive to set position, speed and torque precisely.
- Soft starterA soft starter limits starting current and torque surge when a three-phase motor is switched on by increasing the voltage gradually.
- Spherical roller bearingA spherical roller bearing is a double-row, self-aligning rolling bearing with barrel-shaped rollers for very high loads and shaft misalignment.
- Stepper motorA stepper motor is an electric motor whose rotor turns in fixed angular steps driven by controlled current pulses, positioning without an encoder.
T
- Tapered roller bearingA tapered roller bearing is a rolling bearing with conical rollers that can carry high radial loads and axial loads in one direction at the same time.
- Temperature sensor (Pt100)A temperature sensor detects the temperature of media or components; in industry, the Pt100 resistance thermometer is the most widely used type.
- Terminal blockA terminal block is a connecting element mounted on a DIN rail that securely and detachably connects conductors in a control cabinet.
- ThermocoupleA thermocouple is a temperature sensor made of two joined metals that generates a temperature-dependent thermoelectric voltage through the Seebeck …
- Transmitter (signal converter)A transmitter converts a sensor signal into a standardised, interference-resistant output signal such as 4–20 mA that control systems can process …
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