System for automatic calibration of an initial position of a moveable machine component

An industrial machine, comprising:

• a frame supporting an operational station for performing an operational task on a workpiece during a machine use session;
• a moveable machine component arranged at the operational station for performing the operational task;
• an actuator that is configured to drive movement of the moveable machine component;
• a control system that controls the actuator and is configured to:
• drive movement of the moveable machine component according to a use-movement routine for performing the operational task during the machine use session, wherein an initial position is defined by a position of the moveable machine component at a start of the use-movement routine;
• drive movement of the moveable machine component according to a calibration-movement routine during a machine calibration session;
• and
• monitor a performance characteristic of the actuator during the machine calibration session;
• identify a triggering event that corresponds to an anomalous performance characteristic value;
• determine the initial position based on the triggering event.

A method for automatically calibrating an initial position of a moveable machine component of an industrial machine, the method comprising:

• operating an actuator in a calibration mode during a calibration session, wherein the actuator in the calibration mode defines at least one of:
• a reduced speed value compared to an operational speed value;
• and
• a reduced torque value compared to an operational torque value;
• driving a moveable machine component with the actuator operating in the calibration mode;
• monitoring a performance characteristic of the actuator while operating in the calibration mode;
• detecting a triggering event that corresponds to an anomalous performance characteristic value;
• defining an initial operational position of the moveable machine component as a function of a position of the moveable machine component during the detection of the triggering event.