nollposition

Nollposition is a term used in technical contexts to describe the baseline or reference state of a system from which measurements are taken. It corresponds to the zero or origin of a coordinate or measurement frame and serves as the starting point for subsequent displacements or configurations.

The word derives from Nordic and Germanic linguistic roots, combining a zero-related element (noll or null) with position. In practice, nollposition is defined by a specific state or signal that marks the system as being at rest or in a known configuration. It is common in manuals and control systems documentation across languages that employ the term, with English translations often rendered as zero position or home position.

In engineering and manufacturing, nollposition is crucial for calibration. In robotics and CNC machining, machines are moved into the nollposition during startup so that all future motions are measured relative to a reproducible origin. In software and simulations, it may refer to the origin of a coordinate system or the initial state of an algorithm. Maintaining a clearly defined nollposition helps prevent drift and ensures consistent performance, especially when backlash, wear, or sensor noise can alter the actual state from the nominal reference.

Recalibration procedures are used to re-establish the nollposition after maintenance, power cycles, or detected deviations. The concept is closely related to general notions of origin, home position, and zeroing in measurement and control systems.

See also: zero position, home position, origin, calibration, encoder.