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Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Analog input- A continuously variable electric or electronic signal.
Automation- The use of automatic methods such as machinery in industry.
Belt & pulley- A mechanism consisting of a wheel with a grooved rim and a strap that is used to change direction of the force being applied.
Bevel gear- A gear in which the axis or shaft of the driving wheel forms an angle with the shaft of the wheel driven.
CAM- Acronym for Computer Aided Manufacturing.
Cam & follower- A device that changes rotary to reciprocating motion.
Closed-loop system- A system that can respond to changes and adjust its inputs or outputs.
Crown & pinion- These gears make changes in the direction of rotational motion typically at a 90-degree angle. They can also change speed and torque of the rotational motion and are commonly found on automobile drive trains.
Digital input- Inputs that are coded in a series of 0s and 1s.
Drive gear- The gear that is providing the force to produce motion.
Driven gear- The gear that is receiving the force to produce motion.
Efficiency- The measure of achieving results without waste of time or effort.
End effector- An attachment that is designed for a specific task. It is placed at the end of a robot’s arm.
Energy- Capacity to do work.
Experimentation- The process describing an effort to discover, test, or demonstrate something.
Feedback- Information about a system’s output that is used to adjust the system.
Flexible manufacturing- The efficient production of small numbers of products.
Force- A strength, power, or effort that causes movement of a body or other effects.
Idler gear- A gear that is inserted into a mechanism that neither increases nor decreases the mechanical advantage but reverses the direction of motion.
Imagination- The image-forming power of the mind, or the faculty of the mind that modifies the conceptions that is often associated with creativity.
Input- Information or data that is entered into a system.
Interface- Something that provides a connection between two things, such as an electrical connection between devices.
Intervention- To come in to modify, settle, or hinder some action.
Invention- A new device or process that was created or produced to accomplish a specific task or function.
Leadscrew- These are used to move an item along the axis of a rotating shaft, thereby changing rotary motion into linear motion. It is typically used on metal lathes and vises.
Limitation- Hindrance to abilities or achievements.
Linear- Made up by or in the form of straight lines.
Malfunction- Result of functioning incorrectly.
Manipulator- Physical device that works or handles specific tasks skillfully.
Mechanism- The working parts of a machine or any system that consists of interrelated parts.
Open-loop system- A system that has no way of monitoring or adjusting itself.
Oscillating- The term that describes a back and forth motion such as a suspended pendulum.
Output- Information or data that is delivered by a system.
Program- A sequence of instructions that are written to provide instructions for a specific task.
Programmer- Person who writes computer programs.
Rack & pinion- Converts rotational motion into linear motion. They are commonly used in today’s automobile steering systems.
Range of motion- The distance an automated machine is allowed to travel in all directions.
Ratio- The quantitative relationship between two objects that is sometimes referred to as a proportion.
Reciprocating- The term that describes a back and forth motion.
Reprogram- The rewriting or correcting of a sequence of instructions that have been written for a specific task.
Robot- A mechanical device that acts in a seemingly human way that is most often guided by automatic controls.
Robotics- The science of designing and using robots.
Rotary- The term that describes a revolving motion or one that turns like a wheel.
Simple gear train- This is basically made up of wheels that have teeth cut around their circumference. Gears work on the principle of a lever. When power turns one gear, its teeth in turn force the next gear to move, and so forth. The gear connected to the power source is called the drive gear.
Slider- The part of a machine that moves along a fixed part of the same machine.
Software- Programs that are written to be used by computers.
Tedious- Term describing monotonous or boring circumstances or tasks.
Threshold- A starting point of the beginning.
Torque- A force that causes rotation around a central point, such as an axis.
Troubleshoot- The process of locating and eliminating a problem or source of trouble.
Universal Joint- A linkage between two rotating shafts that allows movement in all directions.
Work- The application of force to cause an object to move in the direction of the force.
Worm & wheel- Makes changes in the direction of rotational motion. They can also change the speed and torque of the rotational motion.