Methods of Controlling a Hybrid Positioning System Using LabVIEW

The paper presents the design of positioning unit acting in a different way with respect to the known methods of controlling the positioning devices. The prototype positioning unit consists of a double-acting cylinder and electromagnetic brake. The proposed hybrid positioning unit allows to free programming of the displacement of the actuator. In the illustrated solution significant disadvantages which often occur in the positioning pneumatic drives were eliminated. The proposed hybrid positioning system provides to maintain the desired position, shorter positioning times, a higher average speed of the piston and a higher positioning accuracy. The fulfilment of such parameters provide a construction of accordingly developed unit which consist of pneumatic drive and control system. Element of control system is the measuring card NI PCI-6221 for data acquisition and control system positioning. LabVIEW allow to control the object, carrying out the visualization of the process control and analysis of measurement data.