Motion Control Systems is concerned with design methods that support the never-ending requirements for faster and more accurate control of mechanical motion. The book presents material that is fundamental, yet at the same time discusses the solution of complex problems in motion control systems. Methods presented in the book are based on the authors' original research results. Mathematical complexities are kept to a required minimum so that practicing engineers as well as students with a limited background in control may use the book. It is unique in presenting know-how accumulated through work on very diverse problems into a comprehensive unified approach suitable for application in high demanding, high-tech products. Major issues covered include motion control ranging from simple trajectory tracking and force control, to topics related to haptics, bilateral control with and without delay in measurement and control channels, as well as control of nonredundant and redundant multibody systems. Provides a consistent unified theoretical framework for motion control design Offers graduated increase in complexity and reinforcement throughout the book Gives detailed explanation of underlying similarities and specifics in motion control Unified treatment of single degree-of-freedom and multibody systems Explains the fundamentals through implementation examples Based on classroom-tested materials and the authors' original research work Written by the leading researchers in sliding mode control (SMC) and disturbance observer (DOB) Accompanying lecture notes for instructors Simulink and MATLAB® codes available for readers to download Motion Control Systemsis an ideal textbook for a course on motion control or as a reference for post-graduates and researchers in robotics and mechatronics. Researchers and practicing engineers will also find the techniques helpful in designing mechanical motion systems.

The book reveals many different aspects of motion control and a wide multiplicity of approaches to the problem as well. Despite the number of examples, however, this volume is not meant to be exhaustive: it intends to offer some original insights for all researchers who will hopefully make their experience available for a forthcoming publication on the subject.

Soft robotics is a recent exciting trend of robotics, taking the challenge of using soft materials and deformable structures for building robots, with high potential for impact in science and in applications Given the young and fast growing area and the lively interdisciplinary community that grew around soft robotics, the RoboSoft international conference aims at presenting recent progresses in this field, for discussing new science, new technologies and new opportunities for applications

Automotive Control is a rapidly developing field for both researchers and industrial practitioners. The field itself is wide ranging and includes engine control, vehicle dynamics, on-board diagnosis and vehicle control issues in intelligent vehicle highway systems.Leading researchers and industrial practitioners were able to discuss and evaluate current developments and future research directions at the first international IFAC workshop on automotive control. This publication contains the papers covering a wide range of topics presented at the workshop.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thougtit that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 31 (thesis year 1986) a total of 11 ,480 theses titles trom 24 Canadian and 182 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base tor these titles reported will greatly enhance the value ot this important annual reterence work. While Volume 31 reports theses submitted in 1986, on occasion, certain univer sities do re port theses submitted in previousyears but not reported at the time.

A real-time computer-hardware simulation for the investigation of space station dynamics and control problems is described. The simulation utilizes full-scale control moment gyro (CMG) hardware mounted on a moving base simulator, a manual console, and a Control Data (CDC) 6600 digital computer to represent a space station and its control system. The digital computer software is programed in modular form by using separate subroutines or modules to represent the simulated spacecraft, onboard control computer, isolated experiment packages, and other disturbance or dynamics functions associated with space station operation. A complete functional and operational description of the major elements of the space station simulation is included.