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Abstract
Supporting Materials
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Abstract
The goal of this project is to develop a Fast Long Range Actuator (FLORA) to produce optical quality freeform surfaces. The target range of motion of ±2 mm at 20 Hz creates a challenging problem and will require innovation in design, fabrication and control. This report discusses the performance of the first prototype – FLORA I – built in conjunction with Precitech on a small business grant funded by NASA and the extension of that prototype to FLORA II over the past year. These designs use a 50 mm stroke linear motor, air bearing supported lightweight triangular piston and a glass-scale linear encoder. Changes to the encoder, amplifier and controller and the resulting improvements in performance are reported. Both simulations and experimental results are presented to evaluate the performance of the existing design and determine the direction for a new system design. Significant improvements in following error (value) and disturbance rejection (value) have resulted in the changes incorporated in FLORA II. In addition, more general design philosophies for this application are discussed including the effect of moving mass, motor power, sampling rate and physical damping.
Supporting Materials
Live-Axis Turning, (305K PDF)
The following faculty, students, and PEC affiliates are involved in this
project:
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