Abstract
A compact magnetic levitation system had been developed as an educational tool. The system is to learn about classical control theory, transfer function, PID feedback control, time response, frequency response, and stability. You don't need any other measurement instruments or power units because it's battery-operated, and it has a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) to show some measurement and analysis results. The size is 130 × 82 × 165mm, weight is about 780g, it can be carried by one hand. The production cost is only about 6,000 yen, it's possible to produce multiple units (about ten units) for one class by the fiscal budget. The part which need some machining process is only base plate of the apparatus, all the other parts; frame, iron core of the electromagnet, levitation object, etc. are ready-made, most of the manufacturing time is soldering. The control parameters can be changed during the control system is running by pushed-buttons installed on the control board, to be easy to understand effects of change of the control parameters. Effectiveness of the system has already been confirmed in an automatic control class for the 4^<th> grade students last year.
