What Are Alternative Terms for Moving a Pickoff Point in Control Engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around terminology in control engineering, specifically alternative terms for "moving a pickoff point" and "summing junction." Participants explore various expressions and their usage in different contexts, including software-specific terminology.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that "pick-off point" is a sufficient term, with "tap point" proposed as an alternative.
  • There is a query about other expressions for "summing junction," with some participants noting that it is the most common term used.
  • MathWorks SimuLink refers to "summing junction" as a "summing block," while MATRIXx SystemBuild uses "summing junction." This indicates software-specific terminology variations.
  • Participants recommend using a single standard term throughout documentation to avoid confusion over similar terms.
  • Some alternatives for "summing junction" include "summing point" and "junction point," with participants seeking opinions on these terms.
  • There is a suggestion that "node" could also serve as an alternative for "pick-off point," with a distinction made regarding its implication in signal observation or splitting.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty, suggesting that "summing junctions" might also be referred to as "substractors."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best alternative terms, as multiple competing views and suggestions remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some terms may have specific meanings in different software environments, and the discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on terminology without resolving which terms are preferred universally.

mech-eng
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I would like to ask about some terms of control engineering.

What are other common expressions for "moving a pickoff point" which can be used as" moving a pickoff point behind of a block" or as "moving a pickoff point ahead of block."

Source:Self-made

Thank you.
 
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"pick-off point" seems good enough. "tap point" is one alternative.
 
What are the other common expressions for "summing junction" ?

Thank you.
 
mech-eng said:
What are the other common expressions for "summing junction" ?

Thank you.
"summing junction" is probably the most common term used. If you use a particular software package, there may be a similar term. MathWorks SimuLink calls them a "summing block". But MATRIXx SystemBuild calls them a "summing junction".

PS. If you are writing something, I recommend that you avoid a variety of terms and just use one standard term all the way through. I have spent hours upon hours wondering if some term in a document meant something different from another similar term, when they really meant the same thing.
 
FactChecker said:
"summing junction" is probably the most common term used. If you use a particular software package, there may be a similar term. MathWorks SimuLink calls them a "summing block". But MATRIXx SystemBuild calls them a "summing junction".

PS. If you are writing something, I recommend that you avoid a variety of terms and just use one standard term all the way through. I have spent hours upon hours wondering if some term in a document meant something different from another similar term, when they really meant the same thing.

Some people use "summing point" or "junction point" instead of "summing junction" so what do you think about these alternatives?

Thank you.
 
FactChecker said:
"pick-off point" seems good enough. "tap point" is one alternative.

Could "node", too, be alternative of them ?

Thank you.
 
mech-eng said:
Could "node", too, be alternative of them ?.
"node" is a good general term. If you want to imply that the node is a place where a signal is being observed or split off to another place, "pick-off point" implies that and is better.
 
I am not sure but some people might call summing junctions as substractors.

Thank you.
 

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