A new approach for aerodynamic levitation based position control using digital image processing and data acquisition

In this paper is presented a new approach for implementing a position control system based on a directional flux of air. The accurate control of the position for the levitating object is achieved using the variable pressure of a fluid, which in this case is air. The feedback loop of the control system is composed of a video camera that monitor the object´s position and a data acquisition module that generate the control signals for the air flux generator. A LabVIEW software application running on a personal computer is used for implementing the PID algorithms and the digital image processing required for controlling the operation of the entire system. Depending on the capacity of the air flux generator, the mass of the levitating object can be increased. In all tests the proposed system has shown good dynamic response and stable and accurate positioning of the controlled object.