absolute encoder A device (analog or digital) that outputs electrical signal(s) to indicate the position (linear or angular) with respect to a reference position
AC drive Electrical apparatus for supplying controlled waveforms to the field windings of a large electric motor
AC power supply A power supply unit (PSU) that takes AC power as its input and delivers regulated power (usually DC) at its output
AC servo-motor An AC electric motor for making a mechanical change in a servo system (a system with a feedback loop measuring, and controlling, the difference between the present setting and the desired setting)
accelerometer A device for measuring the amount of acceleration (rate of change of velocity)
acquisition card An electronic system, mounted on a single circuit board, that can autonomously take data from the input stream, and pass it on for recording or further processing, continuously, in large volumes, and possibly at a high rate
actuator A device that achieves mechanical displacement, under some sort of remote control
adhesive tape A long, narrow band or strip of strong material with an adhesive on one surface
air compressor Apparatus for taking air in at its inlet, compressing it to a small volume, so as to give a supply of compressed air, at a very high pressure, at its outlet
annealing furnace A furnace that is used for annealing (heating up objects, notably metallic ones, so that any dislocations in the material tend to heal themselves)
assembly line A sequential row of assembly points, each one taking input from the previous point, and giving output to the next point, first performing one dedicated step in the assembly process on the partially assembled products as they pass through
assembly machine A machine for performing assembly operations automatically
asynchronous motor An AC electric motor whose speed of rotation is not fixed by the frequency of the AC supply. Notably, induction motors fit into this class
autoclave A thick-walled vessel with a tight fitting lid that functions as a small oven for heating objects and substances
automatic storage system A system for organizing and managing the storage of objects, in which the placing and retrieval of stored items is achieved under computer control
axial fan A machine for increasing the air pressure on one side of a fast turning helical wheel, and to exit in the chosen direction
Alphabetical list of product definitions
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
