Accurate position control of servo pneumatic actuator systems: an application to food packaging

An accurate position control strategy for servo pneumatic actuator systems is proposed in the paper. There are two key algorithms in the control strategy: time-delay minimisation and target position compensation. This control strategy has been applied in combination with a modified PID controller to a pusher mechanism in the packaging of confectionery products. Both the positioning and the time accuracy required by the production task are achieved using such a control strategy.