Pulse Width Control for Precise Positioning of Structurally Flexible Systems Subject to Stiction and Coulomb Friction

Abstract

Pulse width control refers to the use of a control law to determine the duration of fixed-height force pulses for point-to-point position control of a plant that is subject to mechanical friction, including stiction. The use of constant-gain pulse width control laws for precise positioning of structurally flexible plants subject to stiction and Coulomb friction is analyzed. It is shown that when the plant is a simple two-mass system subject to stiction and Coulomb friction, a position error limit cycle can result. Sufficient conditions for stability and self-sustained oscillation of this closed-loop system are derived. The sufficient conditions for stability are used to determine conditions on the plant parameters and the control gain that guarantee closed-loop stability and thus limit-cycle-free operation and zero steady-state position error. The analysis methods that are introduced are demonstrated in applications to the control of the position of the end-effector of an industrial robot.