Development of an Eddy-Current Actuator Test Bed

There is no simple, inexpensive yet extensible test bed for simulating microgravity. This is a large technological gap in the development of space systems at the level of universities, small companies and individuals. Experimental validation of eddy-current interactions in a prototype contactless actuator provided the motivation for design of a new 1-D low-friction test bed. This paper describes the design and development of a low-cost, 1-degree-of-freedom experimental test bed with closed loop actuation overseen by Simulink. The system can support many different experiments that require microgravity and closed-loop control.