Modelling of a flexible rotor maglev system

This paper describes the modelling process of a mechanical system consisting of a rotary flexible spindle hovered by active magnetic bearings (AMB), whose potential uses in the machine-tool industry have been well documented. The modelling takes into account the three main behavioural characteristics of such magnetically-levitated rotor: the rigid dynamics, the flexible dynamics and the rotating unbalanced motion. Using this model, a stabilizing controller has been successfully designed for the system and a complete experimental analysis of its performance is carried out. Also, the predictions of the model are compared with the actual measured experimental results on a laboratory set-up. Finally, a brief study about some non-linear behaviour observed m the system and its effect over the system stability at the critical speed is included