Control of a Test Bench for Dynamic Emulation of Mechanical Loads

The paper describes a control strategy for a test bench consisting of a drive under test mechanically connected with a dynamometer drive. The control of dynamometer drive is performed on RT-Lab simulation platform and based on dynamic emulation of mechanical loads (DEML) strategy. Torque-controlled dynamometer emulates the behaviour of a real mechanical load. The test bench enables emulating of the linear and non-linear dynamics of mechanical loads with only mathematical model of the load included into the closed-loop control. Main purpose of the research on this kind of test bench's control is a simplification of manufacturer tests on new actuator prototypes. The next equally important purpose is reducing the commissioning time of drives’ control. Simulation and experimental results showing the abilities of the proposed test bench‘s control approach are presented.