DC Motor Kit
The DC Motor Control Kit is a portable, low-cost educational system developed at IIT Bombay for teaching control fundamentals. It combines a DC motor with encoder, embedded interface, and driver circuitry, along with interactive software supporting MATLAB/Simulink. The kit enables students to implement various control algorithms including traditional PID control, system identification, and model predictive control approaches through USB connectivity and ready-to-use experimental packages.
The invention aims to solve the challenge of providing affordable, hands-on control education in engineering curricula. Traditional control learning lacks real-world plant experience and is often expensive or inaccessible. Students need practical exposure to control algorithms from basic to advanced levels without requiring costly laboratory setups or complex installations.
Salient Features:
- Permanent magnet DC brushed motor with manually variable load
- USB connectivity for plug-and-play operation
- Interactive front-end software with runtime engine
- Compatible with MATLAB/Simulink
- Pre-designed experimental package with detailed manuals
- ABS construction material for durability
- 230V AC power source
- Portable and bench-top design
Advantages/Novelty:
- Creates real-world plant experience in classroom settings
- Low-cost alternative to expensive motor control laboratories
- Supports wide range of control algorithms from basic to advanced
- Enables custom experiment design by users
- Proven classroom usage over 15 years at IIT Bombay
- Aligned with Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives
- Suitable for multiple engineering disciplines
- Interactive learning approach with theoretical and practical integration
- Motor Assembly: Permanent magnet DC brushed motor with integrated encoder for position and speed feedback
- Load Mechanism: Manually variable load system for testing different operating conditions
- Interface Circuit: Embedded interface providing communication between motor and PC
- Driver Circuitry: Power electronics for motor control and protection
- Software Package: Interactive runtime engine with pre-built experiments and theory modules
- Connectivity: USB interface ensuring plug-and-play functionality with computers
- Housing: Durable ABS construction for portability and classroom use
- Power Supply: Integrated 230V AC power system for motor operation
- Documentation: Comprehensive manuals explaining theory and practical implementation
The kit democratizes control education by making advanced control concepts accessible to students across various engineering disciplines at affordable costs. It supports India's educational self-reliance goals while bridging the theory-practice gap in engineering education. The system enhances learning outcomes and prepares students for industry requirements in automation and control systems.
The kit serves undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students in Instrumentation, Control, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Engineering. It's valuable for academic institutions, training centers, and professionals seeking hands-on control systems experience. Applications span traditional control teaching, advanced control research, system identification studies, and emerging areas like machine learning in control systems.