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Duty Cycle

maker

The ratio of active time to total time in a repeating cycle.

expanded

Duty cycle represents the proportion of time a device spends in active operation during a full cycle of operation. It is typically expressed as a percentage and is crucial for understanding thermal load and energy efficiency for electromechanical and electronic devices.

examples

A 3D printer operating with a 60% duty cycle, where it prints for 6 minutes in a 10-minute cycle.

Used in additive manufacturing to ensure the printer does not overheat and is operating within its stated tolerances.

An industrial welding robot functioning at a 50% duty cycle, executing welds for 30 seconds in every minute.

Applied in automated manufacturing lines to balance productivity with maintenance requirements and prevent system overheating.