Proposal of a flying-cutting plant for the development of control systems in academic environments

This paper presents a proposal for a flying-cutting plant designed using the SketchUp tool for 3D modeling and constructed with electronic devices and other low-cost components. The proposed prototype aims to facilitate the implementation of control strategies in academic settings, such as laboratory practices. The primary contribution of this work is the development of a scaled,cost-effective industrial prototype that can be operated and controlled using various software and hardware tools. The plant features a conveyor belt and a mechanical arm for continuous cutting, enabling it to emulate the operation of large-scale industrial processes. To validate the design, the plant was simulated using a continuous and discrete transfer function as its mathematical representation, obtained through an identification process performed with MATLAB’s PID Tuner. Performance testswere then conducted using tools such as Simulink and Code Composer Studio by Texas Instruments. After validation, operation and shear tests were carried out on the physical prototype, employing a classical control technique.