Feedback Control of Tension in a Moving Tape Using an ER Brake Actuator

Abstract A feedback controller for a moving tape tensioning system which uses an ER (electro-rheological) brake actuator is presented.Firstly, an arabic gum-based ER fluid is composed and its static yield stress is obtained by applying electric fields to the fluid domain.An appropriate size of ER brake is manufactured, and its dynamic characteristic is experimentally identified.After formulating a governing equation of motion for the feedback tension control system, a sliding mode control algorithm is formulated to achieve a desired level of tension.Both simulation and experimental work are undertaken on the tension regulating and tracking controls in order to demonstrate the efficiency and feasibility of the proposed method.