What is the primary purpose of axis limit hard stops?

• A. Provide software recalibration
• B. Provide physical barriers to end-of-travel
• C. Measure speed
• D. Indicate fault codes

Answer: (B)

Axis limit hard stops are physical barriers placed at the far ends of each axis travel. They exist to physically stop motion when an axis reaches its maximum or minimum position, protecting the robot, its drives, and surrounding equipment from over-travel and potential damage. Because they are actual hardware limits, they provide a reliable safety boundary even if software or sensors fail, unlike soft limits that rely on software to prevent motion. They are essential during setup and calibration to define the true usable range, and they’re not used for software recalibration, speed measurement, or fault indication.