Description
Introduce Unstable Closed Loop System Control Concepts
The Ball and Beam module is ideal to introduce various control concepts related to unstable closed loop systems. You can use it to demonstrate real-world control challenges such as aircraft roll control.
The Ball and Beam module attaches to the Rotary Servo Base Unit (SRV02). Using this experiment, students learn to:
- design a proportional-velocity compensator to control the servo load shaft
- design a cascade control to stabilize the ball
- implement the controllers and evaluate the performance of the system
In addition to teaching intermediate control concepts, the Ball and Beam can be used for research in various areas, including neural networks and nonlinear control.
How It Works
The Ball and Beam module consists of a steel rod in parallel with a nickel-chromium, wire-wound resistor forming the track on which the metal ball is free to roll. The track is effectively a potentiometer, outputting a voltage that’s proportional to the position of the ball.
When coupled to the Rotary Servo Base Unit, the tilt angle of the beam can be controlled by changing the servo gear angle. The Ball and Beam module can be operated in stand-alone mode, and the ball position can be controlled via the user interface. The Ball and Beam module can also be paired with an additional Remote Sensor module, in which case the system operates in a Master/Slave mode where the ball on the beam will follow the reference ball position of the second Ball and Beam module.
Quanser-developed ABET-aligned Courseware Included
The Ball and Beam module comes with Quanser-developed courseware standardized for ABET evaluation criteria. The workbook with exercises, together with the quick setup resources, a comprehensive User Guide, pre-designed controllers and the system model allow you to get your lab running faster, saving months of time typically required to develop lab materials.
