An approach to higher damping capacity based on a control theory strategy

In order to compare the active damping (computer-controlled damping) via a control theory with the passive (material) damping, the vibration suppressing effect has been investigated by constructing a feedback control system. It consists of a cantilever beam (3×35×300 mm3), a sensor, an actuator and a feedback controller, which has been designed on the basis of the optimal regulator control theory. In a freely decaying vibration state, the active damping effect increases the vibration damping capacity (Q-1) from 0.011 to 0.157 (almost 14.3 times). On the other hand, in a resonant state, the active damping reduces the resonant amplitude to about 1/12. The active damping corresponds to about 6.8 times the maximum damping observed in the ferromagnetic metal SIA.