COUPLED DRIVES APPARATUS

The CE108 Coupled Drives apparatus shows the problems of controlling speed and tension in coupled drives. Many applications use coupled drives, for example: magnetic tape drives, textile machines and paper mills.

The apparatus has two electric motors, coupled by a continuous flexible belt. The belt also passes over a swinging arm with a ‘jockey wheel’ that measures the belt speed and tension. A manual control allows the user to adjust the spring tension at the swinging arm.

The basic control problem is to vary the torque in the motors to regulate the belt speed and tension. The user guide also shows techniques for speed and tension control, simultaneous control of velocity and tension, and analysis of multi-variable control systems.

Key features:

• Self-contained and compact benchtop unit that demonstrates basic speed control and advanced multivariable control
• Coupled drives demonstrate the problems of speed and tension control
• Mimics many industrial and household applications with realistic results
• All inputs and outputs buffered for connection to TecQuipment’s optional controllers or other suitable controllers
• Front panel includes a mimic diagram of the process so that students can see what they are controlling

Essential Base Unit

• Controller (CE120) – A controller with analogue and digital controls and instruments
  or
• Digital Interface (CE122) – An interface which connects between most products in the Control Engineering range and a suitable computer (not included)
  or
• Other suitable controller with +/– 10 V inputs and outputs

Both the CE120 and the CE122 include TecQuipment’s CE2000 Control Software (see separate datasheet) with editable, pre-made control experiments for use with the CE108.

View the control engineering product flyer here.