Increase Positioning Accuracy
Reduce Lost Motion, Increase Stiffness, and Improve Feedback Accuracy
Whether you’re positioning a robotic arm, aligning an optical system, or controlling a medical device, positioning accuracy depends on more than just one component. Timken Precision Drives combines precision gearing, encoders, and engineering expertise to help you build motion systems with exceptional accuracy, repeatability, and reliability.
Why it Matters
Precision begins with the entire motion system.
Positioning errors can affect product quality, cycle time, process consistency, and the ability to perform demanding automated tasks. Backlash, compliance, transmission error, and feedback uncertainty can prevent an axis from reaching the commanded position consistently, particularly during reversals or changing loads.
Improving accuracy requires the gearing, bearings, motor, feedback device, controls, and surrounding structure to work together as a system.
What influences positioning accuracy?
Control Lost Motion
Backlash and other sources of lost motion create a difference between commanded movement and actual output movement. Low or zero backlash gearing can improve positioning performance, particularly when an axis frequently changes direction.
Increase System Stiffness
Torsional and tilting stiffness help the system resist deflection under load. Greater stiffness supports more stable positioning and can reduce settling time after acceleration or deceleration.
Improve Feedback Quality
Encoder resolution, accuracy, mounting, air gap, and placement all influence the quality of position data. The feedback device must measure the motion that matters, with sufficient accuracy for the application.
Optimize the Complete System
Motor sizing, gear ratio, bearing selection, structural rigidity, controller tuning, and feedback placement all contribute to final positioning performance. System-level engineering can reveal errors that component specifications alone do not show.
Recommended Technologies for Positioning Accuracy
Timken Precision Drives brings together complementary precision motion technologies to improve positioning accuracy, repeatability, and control.
Strain Wave Gearing
Zero backlash
Low Inertia
Learn More
Cycloidal Gearing
High Stiffness
Dynamic Load Capacity
Learn More
Planetary Gearing
Low Backlash Gears
High Efficiency Gears
Learn More
Worm Gearing
Compact Gearing
Servo & NEMA Designs
Learn More
Magnetic Encoders
High-Resolution
Accurate Feedback
Learn More
Explore Timken Precision Drives Technologies
A powerful range of high precision gearing and motion technologies, all in one place. Timken Precision Drives brings together more than a century of engineering expertise with the quality, innovation and strength of Timken to solve demanding motion challenges.
Strain Wave Gearing
Zero Backlash
High Compact Accuracy
Explore Strain Wave Gearing
Cycloidal Gearing
High Torsional Stiffness
High Torque Density
Explore Cycloidal Gearing
Micro Gearing
High Reduction
Compact Design
Explore Micro Gearing
Planetary Gearing
Efficient
Powerful
Explore Planetary Gearing
Encoders
Accurate Feedback
Seamless Control
Explore Encoder Technology
Worm Gearing
Maximum Tooth Contact
Maximum Torque
Explore Worm Gearing
Slewing Bearings & Drives
High Torque
High Moment Capacity
Explore Slew Gearing
Solar & Tracking Drives
Durable Design
Consistent Tracking Accuracy
Explore Tracking Drives