A mechanical load is the external force, torque, or resistance that a motor, actuator, or structure must work against during operation. Characterised by inertia, friction, gravity, and process forces, it determines the torque-speed demand placed on a drive system. Accurate load characterisation is essential for sizing motors, selecting gearing, and designing stable control.
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- Load profiles may be constant, variable, or impulsive, and they shape torque-speed requirements, thermal limits, and control tuning. Mismatched load and drive selection causes overheating, instability, or premature wear, so engineers model reflected inertia and duty cycle before specifying a motor and gearbox.