A flexible laboratory tutor for control systems

This paper outlines the development of PC based workstations, carried out at Staffordshire University, as an aid to the teaching and learning of motion control systems. Each workstation consists of a motion control system, either linear or rotary motion with electrical or pneumatic actuation, linked to a PC which provides control, data acquisition and analysis. Other workstations concerned with process control are also being developed. The aim is to provide students with easy yet flexible access to a stimulating experimental learning environment. These systems enable the student to experiment with a range of control strategies in a safe yet practical environment. The experimental work is supported by an online help facility and tutorial guidance notes. The system will eventually incorporate some degree of assessment of a student´s understanding and feedback as to their performance