Mission Statement :
The Controls/Mechatronics Lab, a 900 sq.ft facility, is housed
in Higgins Labs(HL248) and serves the experimental component of
the controls, vibrations and mechatronics courses. Currently five work stations (benches)
that include a Tektronix TDS310 2-ch. oscilloscope, a Comdyna
GP-6 analog computer, a Wavetek FG2A function generator and a
servo motor with its power amplifier, are used for the laboratory
component of controls courses. In addition, four ACX power amplifiers
(model EL-1224), a Krohn-hite Wideband Amplifier (model 7602M),
a Krohn-hite 4-Channel Filter(model 3364), a TMC Lab Table
(vibration isolation) (model 63-500), a dSPACE control development
package for real time data acquisition and control (model ACE-1102)
along with two Pentium III personal computers are used for both
graduate and undergraduate research in active noise and vibration
control, and mechatronic systems. Due to ahe additional support
of an NSF CCLI grant, a major refurbishing of the controls
lab took place in the summer of 2002 in which the five stations
were furnished with additional capabilities.
Each station additionally includes a dSPACE (ACE-1104) real time data acquisition and control
package for implementation of data acquisition and digital control,
a Pentium IV personal computer, a Tektronix TDS-220 oscilloscope,
a Tektronix CFG-253 function generator and an ACX EL-1224 power
amplifier. In addition, two TMC vibration isolation tables are
shared by the five stations for vibration and micropositioning
control. Due to the flexible and modular nature of the five stations,
the Controls/Mechatronics is also be used for courses in Vibrations,
Mechatronics, and Spacecraft Dynamics and Control.
Additionally all the undegraduate projects (Major QUalifying Projects)
utilize the Controls Labs capabilities.
The research portion of the Controls Laboratory,
is involved primarily in the Experimental testing and implementation of
Intelligent Control Algorithms for applications in Structural and Structural Acoustic
Systems.
It also serves the WPI
Engineering community by providing Equipment and Consultancy for various Design
projects that involve elements of Control Engineering. Additionally, it also serves as the
Laboratory for the Experimental Part of the following courses:
Contact Information :
Prof. Michael A Demetriou
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester MA 01609
Tel 508 831-5459
Fax 508 831-5680
Email :
mdemetri@wpi.edu
Home Page : http://www.me.wpi.edu/Demetriou/