TecQuipment Ball and Beam Apparatus

The Ball and Beam Apparatus is a self-contained bench-top system designed specifically for illustrating simple as well as complex control theories. It can be used for the study of naturally unstable systems as occur in rockets or missiles during start-up. This apparatus is made up of a metal ball rolling along two tensioned wires placed along a pivoted beam. The tilting of the beam is done through a servo motor; however, the beam as well as the metal ball positions can only be measured. Through this process of tilting the beam towards a desired point, students gain expertise in the use of feedback control in the stabilization of the double integrator plant.