U-035

Modelling and Control of A Novel Vibratory Feeder

Authors: Winncy Y. Du, Stephen L. Dickerson
Affiliation: The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract
The system identification and real-time control of a novel vibratory feeder (VF) are discussed in this paper. The new feeder simply uses a horizontally-vibrating flat bed to feed various parts. Only the 2D motions (translations in the x and y axes) are analyzed here. The system is nonlinear and highly uncertain, because the motion of the part depends on the Coulomb friction on the contacting surface. A Modified Pulse-Width Modulation (MPWM) signal is developed to control the vibration of the bed. A Four-Time-Interval Control Algorithm is investigated so that both bed and part move in the desired manners. Both open- and closed-loop simulations of the VF system are implemented to verify the feasibility of the system model, the MPWM signal, and the control algorithms.

Winncy Y. Du
The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0405
gt7104e@prism.gatech.edu