translation movement

English translation: linear movement

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:translation movement
Selected answer:linear movement
Entered by: B D Finch

10:32 Sep 8, 2018
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Mechanics / Mech Engineering / EN-UK
English term or phrase: translation movement
This is from a file that I am proofreading. I am told that it is not a translation, but was probably written in English by someone who was not a native speaker of English.

"…are equipped with punches the translation movement of which is ensured by a system of fixed cams"

As I understand it, what this means is translation of the rotary movement provided by the motor into the linear movement of the punches. However, the wording does not seem right to me and I should be grateful for either confirmation that it is correct, or suggestions on how to correct it.
B D Finch
France
Local time: 22:39
linear movement [the "line" being of any shape, but here is a straight line]
Explanation:
it was written by someone who is "native" in mathematics:

Translation

Translation is a term used in geometry to describe a function that moves an object a certain distance. The object is not altered in any other way. It is not rotated, reflected or re-sized.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-translation-in-math...

…are equipped with punches the translation movement of which is ensured by a system of fixed cams

here the "geometrical translation" of the punches is the shifting of the punches along the axis that is guiding their movement - the rotating cams are driving this "geometrical translation" of the punches.


Just to confuse a bit, this "geometrical translation" [= shifting along an axis] of the punches could also be seen as "the translation" [= expressing the same thing in a different way] of the rotary movement of the cams into a linear movement of the punches!
Selected response from:

Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:39
Grading comment
Thanks Daryo. Thanks for pointing out that ambiguity with the mathematics meaning.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +1linear movement [the "line" being of any shape, but here is a straight line]
Daryo
4 +1linear displacement
Tony M
4 -2Movement in x-y plane
John Druce


Discussion entries: 9





  

Answers


36 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
linear displacement


Explanation:
'translation movement is fine, or 'displacement in translation' which would perhaps be close to the source text register.

John is correct when he says it means a displacement or movement in a linear direction, thus excluding rotation, reflection, or any other of the geometrical transformations possible; however, 'translation' doesn't say (or need to) anything about the plane in which this takes place.

One might say 'lateral diisplacement', but that is a bit risky, since it implies some specific displacement that is not (say) longitudinal, whereas translation simply means 'a sliding movement in a single dorection' — hence 'linear' is a good synonym; but probably best avoided in a technical context, where it can so easily be taken to mean 'as opposed to non-linear' (a control law, for example)

Of course, I would probably more naturally say something like 'the ... is displaced in translation by means of cams' or 'cams are used to displace the ... in translation' etc.

Tony M
France
Local time: 22:39
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 504
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi Tony. I think "displacement in translation" is the wrong register for an instruction manual (that's context that I know that I should have provided in the first place). The machine has an electric motor, which drives an axle fitted with cams, which move the punches up and down.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Daryo: another way of saying it
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Daryo!
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18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -2
Movement in x-y plane


Explanation:
Not quite. Normally when talking about automated movement, “translation” means movement in a flat plane (e.g. x-y axes) as opposed to rotation, tilting and moving up and down.

So I my understanding of this is saying that the cams serve to move the punch in the x and y directions. Close to your interpretation, but subtly different (let me know if you want me to explain more).

I would probably just have a comma between “punches, the movement of which...”

Otherwise if you still think it’s unclear, you could go with “punches which are moved in the x-y plane by a set of cams.”

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2018-09-08 14:56:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Take the explanations with a pinch of salt, especially the x-y plane bit, since the thing actually moves up and down. My main point was meant to be that “translation” is the word used technically for, as Tony says below, a sliding movement, rather than a rotation or tilt. Not just the transmission of the motion for the motor.

John Druce
Spain
Local time: 22:39
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: The movement is actually a vertical one (up and down). I had noticed the absence of punctuation, but there's no point correcting it until I know what other correction(s) I want to make to this sentence.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: The plane it is in is slightly irrrelevant to the movement of 'translation' — and indeed, a rotary movement could equally well take place within one plane.
12 mins
  -> Sorry, I didn't make it clear that I was just trying to use the x-y plane as an example to emphasise that it is not a rotation.

disagree  Daryo: "x-y plane" is irrelevant - a distraction from the key elements
5 hrs
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
linear movement [the "line" being of any shape, but here is a straight line]


Explanation:
it was written by someone who is "native" in mathematics:

Translation

Translation is a term used in geometry to describe a function that moves an object a certain distance. The object is not altered in any other way. It is not rotated, reflected or re-sized.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-translation-in-math...

…are equipped with punches the translation movement of which is ensured by a system of fixed cams

here the "geometrical translation" of the punches is the shifting of the punches along the axis that is guiding their movement - the rotating cams are driving this "geometrical translation" of the punches.


Just to confuse a bit, this "geometrical translation" [= shifting along an axis] of the punches could also be seen as "the translation" [= expressing the same thing in a different way] of the rotary movement of the cams into a linear movement of the punches!

Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:39
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: Native in SerbianSerbian, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks Daryo. Thanks for pointing out that ambiguity with the mathematics meaning.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
41 mins
  -> Thanks!
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