Hello everyone, I have a question concerning the control of a force in a test facility. First I will explain what exactly is the task.
There is a pneumatic cylinder that is controlled via a proportional valve. This pneumatic cylinder is supposed to press a pedal with a certain force (up to a maximum force of 500N), then holding the pedal for 2 seconds in that position and then releasing the pedal again (cylinder moves back in its original position). This is repeated exactly every 10 seconds. The force exerted on the pedal can be measured with a force sensor. As far as I know the set up has a proportional valve (to set the right pressure that actuates the cylinder) and a switching valve to switch the pressure from the proportional valve to the pneumatic cylinder and to release the cylinder again.
I don?t really know what the best way is to control this thing. I was thinking about a PID controller, but maybe there is something simpler or something better. Also I don?t exactly know how to manage the switching. Should the switching valve be inside the control cycle? Or should I control a constant force and measure only at those times when the force is applied? The switching could be done independently of that. But I really don?t know what is the best way. I would appreciate any hints you have for me. Sincerely, Walter