Meaning
Temporal lag exists between a control signal and physical valve movement. Engineers measure servo valve response latency to ensure injection speeds remain consistent throughout a high speed production run. High latency causes variations in the switchover point from injection to holding pressure.
The valve response time influences the repeatability of the filling phase.
Signal Delay
Electronic commands take a few milliseconds to move the internal spool of the valve. The servo valve response latency includes the time for the magnetic coil to energize and the spool to slide. In high precision moulding, even a one millisecond delay can change the part weight.
Process Precision
Fast valves allow the machine to react to pressure spikes during the cycle. If the latency is too high, the machine cannot slow down the screw fast enough to prevent flashing. Modern controllers compensate for this delay by sending the signal slightly before the target position is reached.
Machine Wear
Performance of the valve degrades as the internal components wear or the oil becomes contaminated. Increasing servo valve response latency is often a sign that the valve requires cleaning or replacement. Monitoring this value over time helps maintenance teams prevent unexpected downtime.
Keeping the response time within a tight range is a requirement for manufacturing high precision medical parts.