Quanser: The Three Rs of Control Systems
Elizabeth Northrop
Technical Specialist & Simulation
Teaching and learning how to design and use real-time control systems is a
whole lot easier – and more cost-effective – with Quanser's modular systems.
Modern control systems are one of
the most significant engineering
achievements of the past two
decades. These marvels govern the latest
high-performance automobile, next-generation renewable energy plants and
countless miracle medical devices. Though
the formal science of control systems has
existed for over half a century, modern
control techniques combine the amazing
advances of the computer revolution with the
artistry of traditional engineering design and
the fundamental physics of engineering
science. The new discipline of mechatronics
is closely related, if not synonymous, with
modern control systems. From an education perspective, however,
this exciting new context has been nothing
short of a nightmare as professors rush to
update curricula to reflect modern realities.
Revising courses that must now seamlessly
integrate mathematical and modelling
theory, computing and programming,
electronics and sensors, and conventional
engineering device design embodies one of
the grand educational challenges of our time.
The engineers at Quanser believe they
have an important part of the solution. Long
known for their innovative designs for
advanced research devices for mechatronics
and control systems, they’ve directed the
same creative energy towards the primary
experimental platform for educational
applications.
The Quanser Rotary Control Workstation is
a uniquely modular experimental platform
that will guide students from the most
fundamental of control concepts to advanced
concepts needed for modern industry and
research. The foundation is the humble
SRV02 Base Unit (the "heart" of the
system). The SRV02, through its controlled
rotations, can drive a series of modular
experiments numbering no less than eleven.
The experiment modules range from the
classic Inverted Pendulum (which never fails
to draw a chuckle from students) to various
industrial robot configurations and the
seemingly magical 2DOF Ball Balancer. The
appeal of this system is not so much the cool
factor of the experiments but the educational
philosophy designed into the platform.
Quanser education solutions follow the
three Rs: relevant, realistic and rigorous.
Relevance comes from a rich combination of
industrial relevance (i.e. learning the skills
that companies are demanding) and simple
fun (you really have to experience one to
appreciate this). The realistic quality stems
from a careful balance of industry-reflective
complexity with student-appropriate
constraints that not only challenges but also
makes the experiments accessible and
engaging. And, finally, Quanser engineers
believe that rigour cannot be sacrificed for
fun. Consequently, all of the experiment
modules are complemented by extensive
curriculum resources that take students
through the conceptual and modelling
background of the experiment, as well as
recommended exercises.
Quanser's new Chief Education Officer Dr.
Tom Lee, comments on the pedagogy:
“In the modern world, I don't think you could
ever do real engineering without seeing the
total picture. This includes the device, the
software driving the device, and the maths
that describes the behaviour. We try to reflect
this big picture in everything we do.” Indeed, the Quanser Rotary solution
has now been adopted by over 2,000
universities worldwide.
Download the Quanser Product Guide, or visit the Quanser home page
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