Basics of coordinate systems
Types of coordinate systems
For coordinates to be unambiguous they must define one point in all axes of the coordinate system:
Axes | Function |
---|---|
One | In a one-dimensional coordinate system, one coordinate defines one point on a number line. Example: on a machine tool, a linear encoder represents a number line. |
Two | In a two-dimensional coordinate system, two coordinates define one point in a plane. |
Three | In a three-dimensional coordinate system, three coordinates define one point in space. |
If the axes are arranged perpendicularly to each other, they create a Cartesian coordinate system.
Using the right-hand rule you can recreate a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The fingertips point in the positive directions of the three axes.
Origin of the coordinate system
Unambiguous coordinates require a defined reference point to which the values refer, starting from zero. This point is the coordinate origin, which lies at the intersection of the axes for all three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate systems of the control. The coordinate origin has the coordinates X+0, Y+0, and Z+0.