Design, modelling, fabrication and control of a single-axis attraction type levitation prototype

This paper presents control of an attraction type levitation prototype. A thin steel plate weighing 148 gms has been successfully levitated under an electromagnet with closed-loop position feedback. This has been done without the use of any mechanical restrainer and hence is a significant improvement over previously used methods. The entire set-up has been designed, fabricated, mathematically modelled and analysed. Both electromagnetic and control system analysis have been conducted and a controller has been designed and implemented. A small signal model linearised about the operating point has been used for control system design and implementation.