On the Fuzzy-Based Control Strategy Design and Implementation of a Non-Contacting Steel Plate Conveyance System

In order to stabilize the steel plate conveyance process, feasibilities of incorporating the linear induction motor scheme to provide the desired propulsive/lift forces have been intensively investigated. An on-line DSP-based controller integrated with an optical gap measurement system has been successfully developed through proper electromagnetic force estimations. The closed-loop feedback control strategy with fuzzy inference process has also been successfully designed and implemented. The adequacy of the proposed conveyance system for practical steel industrial applications can thus be confirmed.