Abstract
A position control device for a target plant includes a coefficient calculation unit that performs temporary operation of the target plant so as to reverse a direction of travel of the target plant with backlash compensation turned off and calculates a coefficient for reverse detection for each of a plurality of backlash portions, based on a position command value at a timing when a position deviation between a position detection value for a load end and the position command value increases rapidly, a reverse detection unit that operates the target plant with the backlash compensation turned on and detects a timing when a load-side transmission torque is reversed, based on the coefficient, the position command value, and a moment of inertia of the entire load, and a compensation value calculation unit that increases or decreases a backlash compensation value at the timing when reverse is detected.