<p>In motion control, a common need is to move a system from one steady position to another (point-to-point motion). Following the fastest possible motion within an allowed maximum value for speed, acceleration, and jerk, will result in a third-order motion profile as illustrated in this image:
</p><p>The motion profile consists of up to 7 segments defined by the following:
</p>
<ol><li>acceleration build-up, with maximum positive jerk</li>
<li>constant acceleration (zero jerk)</li>
<li>acceleration ramp-down, approaching the desired maximum velocity, with maximum negative jerk</li>
<li>constant speed (zero jerk, zero acceleration)</li>
<li>deceleration build-up, approaching the desired deceleration, with maximum negative jerk</li>
<li>constant deceleration (zero jerk)</li>
<li>deceleration ramp-down, approaching the desired position at zero velocity, with maximum positive jerk</li></ol>
If the initial and final positions are sufficiently close together, the maximum acceleration or maximum velocity may never be reached.
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:ZooFari" class="mw-redirect" title="User:ZooFari">ZooFari</a>
2009-10-13
Based on <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3rd_order_motion_profile.png" title="File:3rd order motion profile.png">raster</a>