Experimental comparison of signal shapers with lumped and distributed delays

This paper presents some applications of the techniques well known as input shaping, focused on control of flexible structures. Zero Vibration (ZV) shaper defined by a sequence of two impulses can drive a system without undesirable vibrations. Such shaper can be regarded as a time delay system with a standard lumped delay. Alternatively, though, new shapers with increased robustness and more natural response can be devoloped as described in the paper if a distributed delay element is used instead. Performance of the distributed-delay shaper is demonstrated by means of a laboratory experiment and it is compared to the standard limped-delay solution. A setup composed of a lightweight flexible beam attached to the Quanser rotating table is utilized.