Intelligent Motion Control Platform

for Smart Mechatronic Systems

Objectives

The challenge of the I-MECH project is to bridge the gap between the latest research results and best industrial practice in intelligent motion control for smart mechatronic systems. Software and hardware building blocks, featuring standardized interfaces, will be developed to deliver a complete I-MECH reference motion control platform. Key scientific and technical objectives are:

  •  to develop techniques for employment of advanced model-based methods for the design, real-time control and self-diagnosis of cyber-physical systems.
  • to develop a smart instrumentation layer gathering sensor and/or visual information using wired and wireless smart sensors to enhance the achievable performance of the system.
  • to develop modular unified, hardware and software motion control building blocks implementing a service-oriented architecture paradigm to create an open motion control platform.

The project outcomes will be available for the European industry through the envisioned I-MECH Center after completion of the project.

 

Relevance and Impact

I-MECH will strengthen European industrial competitiveness through the design and implementation of improved mechatronic smart systems. I-MECH will lead to improved machine performance and reliability. Furthermore, the model based approach will produce an expected 50% reduction in development time for control (sub) systems for mechatronic applications. The project outputs will impact on the entire value chain of the production automation market.

 

The high added value of I-MECH reference platform will be directly verified with pilot projects in the high-speed/big CNC machining, industrial printing, semicon, high-speed packaging and healthcare robotics sectors. However, the platform will be applicable in many other generic motion control fields. The project outputs will impact on the entire value chain of the production automation market and, through envisioned I-MECH center, create sustainable proposition for future smart industry.