How Do Servo Motors work?

How do servo motors work and when are they used? 

We always wonder about how robots and other machines operate. These machines are deployed in areas or fields that are generally considered too difficult or tricky for human beings. They are also used in fields that require utmost precision.

Automatic control of any physical quantity is called servomechanism. Servo systems have become necessary because human operators have many disadvantages. Servo motor basics, in a nutshell, can be defined as a device that rotates parts of a machine with very high levels of accuracy and speed. These motors are electrical devices and are self-contained.

 

What do you use a servo motor for?

Servo motors are used to accurately and efficiently manage speed, velocity, and angles. A servo motor is used in various systems and products in industrial and commercial establishments around the globe. 

For example, you may have used an autofocus camera to take numerous photos of your friends, relatives, and surroundings, but have you ever imagined the technology and mechanisms that exist behind it? Servo motors, which are built into camera lenses with autofocus capabilities, are used to correct out-of-focus images by positioning and adjusting the lens to bring your subject into focus.

In addition to cameras, servo motors can also be found in toys, robots, airplanes, automobiles, DVDs, and more.

 

Why are servo motors used in robots?

Robots are outlined in a way that they can handle various tasks at different speed levels. In order to carry out these tasks, the robots have to be fast and accurate. Servo motors, with their excellent torque and speed, are the most preferred motor used in robots. In a robot, a servo motor is used at all junctions and joints in order to efficiently and accurately negotiate the robot’s angles and movements.

What is a robot servo?

Robots that use servo motors to get position feedback to understand their accurate position are called robot servos. They also perform a particular task quickly and precisely. 

Robot servos can move from 0 degrees to 180 degrees easily and swiftly. The joints of the robots are fitted with servo motors in order to accomplish this. Humanoid and Bioloid robots are two examples of types of robots where servo motors are used to achieve the desired result.

 

How servo motors actually work

Servo motors generally consist of a DC/AC motor, control circuit, gears, and a potentiometer. Changes in resistance are measured using the potentiometer when there is a movement of the shafts. Exactly at this point, the control circuit detects the position of the shaft and directs it to the position of choice. This information is passed on to the Gearmotor to equate between the actual and commanded positions.

How To Control Servos using Arduino

Servo motors are accurate and very easy to use with an Arduino. Arduino can be used to control many types of motors since its boards have analog inputs and PWM outputs. The servo motor Arduino has 3 types of wires. The dark wire has to be joined to GND stick, the red wire to +5V stick on the Arduino, and the yellow/orange wire to an advanced stick. 

Though controlling a servo motor is easy when done directly from Arduino, the servo motor requires more current than what is provided by an Arduino board. There is another preferred option for controlling servo motor function by using “servo library” coding from Arduino, through which one can create multiple custom commands.

 

Conclusion

We can categorically say that the invention of servo motors has taken the world of robotics to another level. They enable us to make movements more precise and much faster. Having said that, they are not free from limitations, which include overheating, overloading, being unable to prevent vibration when stopped, and a higher cost. But at the end of the day, servo motors have opened up new innovations for us to explore and will continue to do so as servo technology advances.