scholarly journals Application of Computer Vision and Python Scripts as Educational Mechatronic Platforms for Engineering Development in STEM Technologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Tudić ◽  
Damir Kralj ◽  
Josip Hoster ◽  
Tomislav Tropčić
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Computer Vision ◽  
Control System ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Position Resolution ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Engineer Education ◽  
And Control

This paper presents the process of designing, fabrication, assembling, programming and optimizing a prototype of a nonlinear mechatronic Ball-Plate System (BPS) as a laboratory platform for STEM engineer education. Due to the nonlinearity and complexity of BPS, task presents challenging issues, such as: 1) difficulties in controlling the stabilization of a given position point known as steady state error, 2) position resolution known as specific distance error and 3) adverse environmental effects - light shadow error, also discussed in this paper. The laboratory BPS prototype for education was designed, manufactured and installed at the Karlovac University of Applied Sciences at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Study of mechatronics. The low-cost two degrees BPS system uses a USB HD camera for computer vision as feedback and two DC servomotors as actuators. Due to controlling problems, an advanced block diagram of control system is proposed and discussed. An open-source control system based on Python scripts that allows the use of ready-made functions from the library allows changing the color of the ball and the parameters of the PID controller, thus indirectly simplifying control system and directly the mathematical calculation. The authors will continue their research on this BPS mechatronic platform and control algorithms.

scholarly journals Design and Performance Evaluation of a Low-Cost Autonomous Sensor Interface for a Smart IoT-Based Irrigation Monitoring and Control System

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
pp. 3643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abba ◽  
Namkusong ◽  
Lee ◽  
Crespo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Sensors And Actuators ◽  
Irrigation Systems ◽  
Sensor Interface ◽  
Monitoring And Control System ◽  
Autonomous Sensor ◽  
And Control

Irrigation systems are becoming increasingly important, owing to the increase in human population, global warming, and food demand. This study aims to design a low-cost autonomous sensor interface to automate the monitoring and control of irrigation systems in remote locations, and to optimize water use for irrigation farming. An internet of things-based irrigation monitoring and control system, employing sensors and actuators, is designed to facilitate the autonomous supply of adequate water from a reservoir to domestic crops in a smart irrigation systems. System development lifecycle and waterfall model design methodologies have been employed in the development paradigm. The Proteus 8.5 design suite, Arduino integrated design environment, and embedded C programming language are commonly used to develop and implement a real working prototype. A pumping mechanism has been used to supply the water required by the soil. The prototype provides power supply, sensing, monitoring and control, and internet connectivity capabilities. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate the flexibility and practical applicability of the proposed system, and are of paramount importance, not only to farmers, but also for the expansion of economic activity. Furthermore, this system reduces the high level of supervision required to supply irrigation water, enabling remote monitoring and control.

Control System Design for AC-DC Three-Degree-of-Freedom Hybrid Magnetic Bearing

2012 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 144-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yu Zhang ◽  
Ying Ruan ◽  
Xiao Yan Diao ◽  
Huang Qiu Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
System Design ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Magnetic Bearing ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Control System Design ◽  
Three Degree Of Freedom

To fulfil the objective of high speed, high precision and intelligence in the modern equipment and advanced manufacturing industry, the magnetic bearing is requested to have small volume, low cost and low consumption. In this paper, an AC-DC three-degree-of-freedom hybrid magnetic bearing (AC-DC-3DOF-HMB) is studied, which integrates radial bearing and axial bearing in one of the magnetic bearing. The configuration and principle of AC-DC-3DOF-HMB are expounded, and the mathematical models of suspension forces are given. Then based on the function block diagram of AC-DC-3DOF-HMB control system, its hardware and software configuration are designed. The experiment results show that the rotor can be suspended stably with three degrees of freedom and has a good performance in anti- interference, and the feasibility of the control system design can be verified.

The Monitoring and Control of Burners Co-Firing Coal and Biomass

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Valliappan ◽  
K. Jagiełło ◽  
S. J. Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Monitoring And Control System ◽  
Flame Monitoring ◽  
And Control

The monitoring and control of combustion systems co-firing coal and biomass is a critical consideration when aiming to increase the proportion of biomass being combusted. This is because it is likely that the combustion will become increasingly unstable as the biomass proportion increases. In order to develop a flame monitoring and control system, flame signal data sets were collected from combustion measurements taken on a 500kW pilot scale combustion test facility. The sensors used were photodiodes with sensitivities in the UV, visible and IR wavelengths. The analysis of these data, identified flame features that can be related to operational parameters such as flame stability, excess air level, NOx and CO emissions. These features were then applied in the development of an intelligent flame monitoring and optimisation system for individual burners based on these low cost sensors. The testing of the monitoring and control system on a pilot scale burner and at full scale are described in this paper.

Highlights of two and one-half years of simulation efforts for deep submergence vehicles

SIMULATION ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 283-293
Author(s):  
Tom F. Noble
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Control System ◽  
System Design ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
The Body ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Control Input ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Input Devices ◽  
And Control

This paper describes the highlights of two and one-half years of computer simulation effort on the deep submer gence vehicles Trieste II (Trieste), NR-1, and Deep Sub mergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). The work, which is still in progress, is being performed by Sperry Gyroscope Com pany under Navy and company-funded programs. Introductory material of the paper presents the simula tion program objectives, outlines the simulation facilities, and gives an overall simulation block diagram. The com puter simulations are being used in control-system, hull, and force-effector design efforts for the development of operational doctrine, as a tool for human engineering as sessment of displays, control input devices, and console layouts, and as a pilot training aid. Basic computation equipment consists of a hybridiza tion between an Electronic Associates 231-R analog com puter and an Ambilog Model 200 digital computer. Major facilities used to supplement these computers are a two- degree-of-freedom cab containing console mockup, pilot's control station, and an electronic flying-spot-scanner tele vision display generator. Major elements characterized in the simulations are six- degree-of-freedom boat dynamics; coordinate transforma tions for television display cues and real-world television pictures; various effectors, actuators, and sensors; and control computer equations. The body of the paper gives details on the use of the computer simulation in deep submergence craft design work. The design stages are broken down as: statement of design criteria, analysis of system parts, analysis of com plete system, synthesis of system design, fabrication of system hardware, test and evaluation, and improvement of design. Unique hull, effector, actuator, and control-system design problems encountered during the two-and-one- half-year simulation study are outlined.. This paper on simulation is concluded with a summary which indicates the need for highly integrated displays, control input devices, and control computers for deep sea craft.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document