Axis Monitoring, Protection Zones (A3) 
Function Manual, 08/2005 Edition, 6FC5397-0BP10-0BA0 
2-1 
Detailed Description 
2
2.1  2.1 Motion monitoring functions 
2.1.1  Contour monitoring 
Contour error 
Contour errors are caused by signal distortions in the position control loop. 
A distinction is made between: 
•  Linear signal distortions 
This is caused by: 
– Speed and position controller not being set optimally 
– Different servo gain factors of the feed axes involved in creating the path 
With the same servo factor for two linear-interpolated axes, the actual position follows 
the set position along the same path but with a time delay. With different servo factors, 
a parallel offset arises between the set and actual path. 
– Unequal dynamic response of the feed drives 
Unequal drive dynamic responses lead to path deviations especially on contour 
changes. Circles are distorted into ellipses by unequal dynamic responses of the two 
feed drives. 
•  Nonlinear signal distortions 
This is caused by: 
– Activation of the current limitation within the machining area 
– Activation of the limitation of the set speed 
– Backlash within and/or outside the position control loop. 
When traversing a circular path, contour errors occur primarily due to the reversal 
error and friction. 
During movement along straight lines, a contour error arises due to a reversal error 
outside the position feedback loop, e.g. due to a tilting milling spindle. This causes a 
parallel offset between the actual and the set contour. The shallower the gradient of 
the straight line, the larger the offset. 
– Nonlinear friction behavior of slide guides.