A new multi-input multi-output control design method for a large-scale web transport system

Abstract

The paper introduces an innovative multi-input multi-output (MIMO) control design approach tailored for the complex dynamics of large-scale web transport systems in printed electronics manufacturing technology. First, a novel hybrid control design is proposed to a MIMO strict-feedback nonlinear dynamic system, in which a modified tracking error is introduced in term of a sliding surface for design purpose. Then, a combined use of Lyapunov-based control design and sliding mode control is employed to formulate a novel control law, called Backstepping Sliding Mode Control (BSMC) and a BSMC based control structure is provided. Second, application of this control strategy is implemented to control web tension and velocity of a three-span web transport system. In this study, a series of assumptions are provided to transform an original system dynamics of web transport system into a standard strict-feedback form. Then, the proposed theory is applied for the achieved system, a BSMC for the system is synthesized for simulation study. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted under different operating conditions to validate the effectiveness, reliability, and robustness of the proposed control method.