Q glossary entries

A dimensionless measure of stored energy relative to energy dissipated per cycle in a resonant system.

A position encoder producing two phase-shifted signals to infer direction and displacement.

A structured method for translating customer needs into engineering characteristics.

The mapping of a continuous range of values into a finite set of discrete levels.

The ratio of useful charge carriers or photons produced to incident photons or input events.

The assessment of rock or soil slopes in excavated quarry faces to prevent collapse.

Analysis that treats loads as changing slowly enough that inertial effects can be neglected.

Rapid cooling used to alter microstructure and mechanical properties after heat treatment.

The mathematical study of waiting lines, service systems, and resource congestion.

A quick-return mechanism is a reciprocating linkage that produces unequal stroke times, usually with a slower working stroke and faster return stroke.