M.Ing. / A two-axis gimbal system in the form of a pitch-roll gimbal and a motion simulating platform were developed to extend the capability of an existing ground-to-air prototype gun-turret. The objective was to stabilize the line of sight (LOS) of the gimbal system despite disturbances introduced by the motion simulating platform in real time. The main sensor used for the stabilization is a two-axis accelerometer which was mounted directly on the inner gimbal (roll gimbal) to form a direct-mass stabilization architecture. The stabilization control algorithm was designed and executed in the Labview® environment on a PC, and the accelerometer data is used to drive the two DC motors used as the actuators of this control system. The design of the motion simulating platform was based on a simplified Stewart-Platform and uses pneumatic cylinders as actuating limbs. All sensors and actuators in the motion simulating platform and the gimbal system are integrated with the National Instrument’s CompactRio® and Labview®. The result was a simple stabilization controller capable of achieving basic stabilization of the LOS. However, the hardware and software of this project are capable of more complex control algorithms and that forms the bulk of the suggestions for further studies.

M.Ing. / This thesis presents the concept of remote (Internet) data acquisition and processing for control of EDM parameters. It incorporates aspects of data analysis while performing diagnosis of process behavior. A working neuro-macro model of the EDM process is utilized for process correlation and diagnosis recommendations. The approach allows selective ways to vary the EDM process performance. The focus in this work is on the process efficiency. The process efficiency is related to the input parameters through the neuro-macro model of the EDM process. A comprehensive description of on-line monitoring and processing of data is included. Experimental results based on the suggested analysis and diagnosis for possible process adaptation particularly with respect to the EDM process efficiency is presented.