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Constant-acceleration profile

Trapezoidal motion

Inputs

Rest-to-rest travel distance for the stated linear or angular axis.
Time for each equal acceleration and deceleration phase.
Constant-velocity phase time; enter zero only for a triangular profile.

Results

Profile acceleration

2.6667

Peak speed

0.66667

Total move time

1

Move distance

500

a = s / [ta(ta + tc)]; vmax = a·ta; T = 2ta + tc

A first-pass number, not a code check, certification, or approval. Read the method and its limits below. What this is and is not.

Nearby: Reflected inertia · Pneumatic cylinder force · Clamp-force transfer · Lead-screw force & travel

Method

Formula, when it applies, and when it does not

Resolve peak speed, acceleration, and total time for a rest-to-rest symmetric trapezoidal profile with move distance and phase times.

a = s / [ta(ta + tc)]; vmax = a·ta; T = 2ta + tc

When

  • Rest-to-rest motion
  • Symmetric constant acceleration
  • No jerk limit or load dynamics

Don’t

  • This is an ideal symmetric trapezoidal/triangular profile. It excludes jerk limits, structural compliance, load inertia, friction, servo tuning, actuator force limits, and safety margins.
Motion-profile reference