In a high-speed pick-and-place operation, which action most directly reduces the peak motor torque required during acceleration?

• A. Optimize payload path
• B. Minimize acceleration torque
• C. Implement smooth path
• D. Use friction reduction

Answer: (B)

Peak motor torque during acceleration is determined by the inertia of the moving load and the acceleration you demand. The motor must provide torque proportional to the effective inertia times the angular (or linear) acceleration, plus any friction and other resisting forces. So the most direct way to reduce the peak torque is to lower the torque needed for that acceleration—i.e., limit the acceleration torque. By choosing a gentler acceleration profile (reducing how aggressively you speed up the payload) you directly cut the required torque at the moment of acceleration, which lowers the peak motor torque the drive must deliver.

Other options can help, but they’re not as direct. Smoothing the path or reducing abrupt changes helps prevent torque spikes and distributes load more evenly, but the fundamental limiter is how much torque is needed to achieve the commanded acceleration. Reducing friction helps as well, but the dominant contributor to peak torque in rapid pick-and-place is the inertial term; lowering the acceleration torque addresses that core factor most directly.