Scale models in control systems engineering

Abstract

The article describes the role played by scale models in dynamical systems studies and control engineering. As a tangible example, the development at the Control Systems Centre, UMIST, of a series of scale models for control systems studies is described. The models form a comprehensive set of equipment which is used for laboratory investigations of process systems, material transport problems, electromechanical control, and the like. The paper describes how such a range of models is used to illustrate the essential features and methods of mathematical modelling, system identification, analysis and control