Learning control of cyclic production processes

Abstract

In repetitive and cyclic processes, product output and quality can be effectively enhanced by employing learning control. Typical applications are in robot control, control of batch processes, extruder control, etc. Linear iterative learning control was proposed in the 1980's for tracking a control input which is exactly repeated from cycle to cycle. In the paper, an optimal iterative learning control which is not as restrictive as the linear iterative learning control is proposed. Applications of iterative learning control to a coupled double-input double-output plant and for the isothermal control of an industrial extruder for aluminium are described.