Ennakkosäätö

Ennakkosäätö, literally “pre-adjustment,” is the preparatory configuration of equipment or systems before operation to establish a baseline that meets design and performance requirements. It is typically performed during installation, commissioning, reconfiguration, or routine maintenance to ensure reliable, safe, and repeatable operation.

The process usually involves selecting and setting relevant parameter values, such as speeds, feeds, pressures, temperatures, or other control variables; aligning components and performing zeroing or reference measurements; checking sensors and actuators; and loading preset templates or parameter files in control software. It can be carried out manually by technicians or automatically by software. Documentation and traceability are often emphasized, recording the settings used, dates, and operator identifiers.

Applications of ennakkosäätö span multiple fields, including manufacturing and automation (such as CNC machines, programmable logic controllers, and robotics), laboratory and process instruments, and other types of process equipment. In CNC machining, for example, ennakkosäätö can cover work offsets, tool offsets, and essential control parameters to support repeatable production.

In quality management, ennakkosäätö is linked to setup efficiency, risk reduction, and reliability. It commonly appears in commissioning checklists, calibration routines, and change-control processes. It is related to but distinct from calibration (which targets measurement accuracy) and general configuration or setup work. The term is used in Finnish technical contexts, with English equivalents including presetting or pre-adjustment.