Motion control is a sub-field of
automation, in which the position or velocity of machines are controlled using some type of device such as a
hydraulic pump,
linear actuator, or
electric motor, generally a
servo. Motion control is an important part of
robotics and
CNC machine tools, however in these instances it is more complex than when used with specialized machines, where the
kinematics are usually simpler. The latter is often called
General Motion Control (GMC). Motion control is widely used in the packaging, printing, textile,
semiconductor production, and assembly industries. Motion Control encompasses every technology related to the movement of objects. It covers every motion system from micro-sized systems such as silicon-type micro induction actuators to micro-siml systems such as a space platform. But, these days, the focus of motion control is the special control technology of motion systems with electric actuators such as dc/ac servo motors. Control of robotic manipulators is also included in the field of motion control because most of robotic manipulators are driven by electrical servo motors and the key objective is the control of motion.