Open-ended cross-disciplinary motion control and energy management laboratory experiences

This paper addresses open-ended and self-learning laboratory experiences as educational objectives for senior engineering students. A new laboratory facility has been developed under an NSF/ILI grant to facilitate these experiences. This facility is described herein and the development plan is discussed. The unique and desirable features of the designed laboratory experimental stations are emphasized for their relevance to the targeted educational objectives. Three typical industrial and manufacturing systems are designed: 1) an engine-generator with automatic loading and full instrumentation; 2) an adjustable speed drive with dynamometer loading, and 3) a robot arm with a custom built controller