What is the Difference Between Torque Control and Torque Limiting?

Teach Me Please! Ms. Ori
Teach Me Please! Ms. Ori
  • Mr. Vex

    Ms. Ori A customer asked me about "torque control" and "torque limiting," but I don't really understand the difference.

  • Ms. Ori

    Listen carefully! "Torque control" is the process of maintaining torque at a certain value through the detection of the torque and feeding back the current commands.
    If you compare it to a car, it would be like cruise control, which maintains a speed setting on both flat roads and slopes.
    On the other hand, "torque limiting" is a "limit function" that suppresses the motor's generated torque by limiting the current that flows to the motor. It's like a speed limit if you compare to a car.

  • Mr. Vex

    Now I get it!

    Torque control
    Description of torque control
    Torque limiting
    Description of torque limiting
  • Mr. Vex

    But when are each of them used? I don’t have a concrete image…

  • Ms. Ori

    Good question. "Torque control" is used when you want to maintain a constant torque even when external forces fluctuate irregularly.
    For example, they are used in the paper feed shafts of printers, where the amount and tension of paper fluctuates in real time, and in power assist applications such as overhead cranes for moving heavy objects.
    On the other hand, "torque limiting" is recommended when you don't want to apply more force than necessary. Preventing winding equipment from pulling too much, preventing caps and screws from being damaged by over-tightening, press fitting and pushing pins...
    Even for the applications that you may think "torque control" is necessary, "torque limiting" is sufficient if the upper limit of the force applied to the load is fixed. The system can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

    Example of mechanisms that use torque control and torque limiting
  • Mr. Vex

    Excuse me, is it possible to perform "press fit and pushing" operations without "torque control?" I'd like to know more details about it.

  • Ms. Ori

    I have no choice. I'll use a cylinder as an example to describe a "press fit and pushing." The movement required for "press fitting" is the usage of press fitting a pin into a predetermined position. If you start out with too much force, the pins will break or bend at the base, so you want to gradually increase the force. This movement can be achieved by a function called "push-motion operation," which combines "torque limiting" with "position control," such as the number of millimeters from a given position.
    If you increase the upper limit of torque step by step by a few millimeters for operation, you can control the "gradual increase in force" without using "torque control."

    Press fit the load to a predetermined position
    Load press fitting order and push force
  • Ms. Ori

    In the case of "push," it's often expected to be used to push a deformable object without breaking it. If you reduce the speed before hitting the load and then press down, you can prevent the load from being damaged by the impact.

    Press down on the load as not to damage it
    Push-motion operation order
  • Mr. Vex

    I see. The ability to control position, speed, and torque is a unique advantage of electric power.

  • Ms. Ori

    By the way, with the αSTEP AZ Series, you can also set the pressing "time", which is convenient for applications where you need to press for a long time, such as gluing and laminating. Also, if you use support software MEXE02, you can monitor the torque in real time on your PC and display the changes on the waveform, which is very convenient, so be sure to check it out.

  • Mr. Vex

    More and more images started to come to me. The same principle can be applied to "pinching force."

  • Ms. Ori

    You've got a good point. It's called "gripping force," not "pinching force." The AZ Series also includes compact and lightweight motors with a frame size of 20 mm and 28 mm, which are recommended as motors to be installed in the chuck mechanism at the tip of robots.

  • Mr. Vex

    I understand. Thank you!

  • Ms. Ori

    Don't limit yourself and keep up the good work.

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