Serwo

Serwo, in Polish used for servomechanism or servo motor systems, refers to a device that provides precise control of angular or linear motion. A typical serwo combines a motor (often a brushless DC motor in industrial models), a gear train for torque multiplication and speed reduction, a feedback sensor such as an encoder or potentiometer, and a servo controller or drive that processes commands and regulates the motor response.

Operation is based on closed-loop control. A user supplies a target position or velocity; the feedback sensor reports the actual state, and the controller computes the error between the target and the actual value. Through control algorithms, commonly proportional-integral-derivative (PID), the drive adjusts the motor to minimize the error, delivering accurate position, speed, and torque as required.

There are several implementations. Industrial servo systems are integrated units with motor, encoder, and drive designed for high performance in automation and CNC tasks. Hobby or RC servos are compact units that include a motor, gearbox, feedback element, and electronics, controlled by standard input signals. Motors used can be brushed or brushless, and feedback devices may be optical encoders, magnetic encoders, or potentiometers.

Applications span robotics, precise positioning systems, CNC machines, automation in manufacturing, aerospace actuators, and medical devices. Benefits include high precision, repeatability, and good torque control at various speeds. Limitations involve cost, system complexity, the need for appropriate power and control electronics, potential backlash or friction, and the requirement for proper sizing and tuning of the control loop.