Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Have knowledge and comprehension within the Problem Based Learning methods, as it is applied at Aalborg University
• Have knowledge and analytical skills within project work in connection with problems in the areas of mechatronic control engineering
• Have knowledge about mechanical structures with complex dynamics and elements with non-linear behaviour

Skills

• Be able to apply identification methods for determining system dynamics, when system information is not available
• Be able to apply the fundamental aspects of non-linear control theory and enable him/her to utilise the available system information to apply selected non-linear control methods on the considered system
• Be able to verify the models and the simulations by measurement in the laboratory or from existing data

Competences

• Be able to control the working and development process within the project theme, and be able to develop new solutions within the area of control of hydraulic actuated mechanical structures
• Independently be able to define and analyse scientific problems within the area of control of hydraulic actuated mechanical structures, and based on that make and state the reasons for decisions made
• Independently be able to continue own development in competence and specialisation

Type of instruction

Problem based project organised work in groups. During the project period you should be able to plan and structure the project work, work in groups and solve conflicts, use consensus versus fight/voting and see differences among group members as a strength.

You should also work with the structure of a project report and prepare a problem formulation, set up project limitation and time schedule. The project takes its base in a hydraulically actuated mechanical system, which is to be controlled as a feed-back system. Models of both the mechanical structure and the actuation system are made and system identification methods should be used for critical parts where no component/system information is available. The models or critical parts hereof should be experimentally verified to show the validity of the models.

Based on the developed models one or more selected non-linear control methods should be used to develop a control algorithm for the system, which should be implemented and verified experimentally and the results should be compared to what may be obtained with standard linear controllers.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 10 ECTS project module, the work load is expected to be 300 hours for the student

Exam

Exams

Additional information

For students with a Bachelor’s degree from another university than Aalborg University heading for the specialisation in Mechatronic Control Engineering.