Profile Functions

Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).

The following profile functions are available:
  • Step
  • Step Dwell Step
  • Single Wave
  • Oscillating
  • Swept Sine
  • Impulse
  • Ramp
  • Solver Expression
  • Multi-Signal


Figure 1. Motors microdialog: Profile functions
Note:
  • You can change the parameters of a profile function using the Property Editor.
  • If your profile function is Solver Expression, you cannot preview it in the Profile Editor directly. However, you can run a motion analysis, then plot the results (as shown below).


    Figure 2. Example: Plot of the Motion Results for a Solver Expression Profile

Profile Types: Examples

Step



Step Dwell Step



Single Wave



Note: Use the time span parameter to adjust the duration of the waveform.

Oscillating





Note: Use the time span parameter to adjust the duration of the waveform.

Swept Sine



Impulse



Ramp



Solver Expression



Table Profile



Profile Parameters

Parameters available in the Profile Editor vary based on what profile function is selected.

Span

The time span from when the waveform begins to when it ends. For example, in the figure below, the time span is 1.8.

The Span and dt are related as the profile curve ramps up over time dt and tails off over time dt to prevent discontinuity in the profile.