Development of a small scale magnetically levitated train as demonstrator for undergraduate mechatronics students

At the Institute of Electrical Machines of the RWTH Aachen University, there is a project financed by student fees for the realization of a magnetically levitated train in the scale of 1:50. Undergraduate students are supposed to get the possibility to design and build up a real train which serves as demonstrator for a mechatronic system. This projects strengthens the motivation of students, since a practical demonstration of electromagnetic forces is given in addition to theoretical courses. This paper introduces the major project steps and explains the learning targets for the students. It focuses on analytical magnetic circuit design, numerical field simulation, modeling and control of a multi degree of freedom system, electronic circuit design measurement setups and a first prototype test bench.