David B. Rathbun
Papers
2
Total Citations
27
H-Index
2
About
David B. Rathbun is a researcher specializing in precision motion control, particularly for structurally flexible systems affected by nonlinear friction. His key contributions center on pulse width control (PWC) techniques, where fixed-height force pulses are precisely timed to achieve accurate point-to-point positioning despite challenges like stiction and Coulomb friction. In his most cited work (2004, 17 citations), Rathbun introduced a control law for determining pulse durations that effectively compensates for these friction effects, enabling reliable positioning in flexible structures. He further advanced this approach with a piecewise-linear-gain pulse width control strategy (2004, 10 citations), which introduced a quantitative performance measure for evaluating system behavior. These methods are critical for applications requiring high precision, such as robotics, aerospace mechanisms, and manufacturing equipment where structural flexibility and friction degrade performance. Rathbun’s research bridges control theory and practical implementation, offering engineers robust tools for designing systems that maintain accuracy under real-world constraints. His work remains influential for researchers tackling nonlinear control challenges in flexible mechanical systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2