Iterative Learning Control Based on Force Measurements for Automatic Impulse Hammers

Automatic impulse hammers have proven their advantages in experimental testing. Up to now, adjusting the resulting peak force is a cumbersome hand-tuning of the parameters of the hammer electronic. As the hammer is equipped with a high-quality force sensor anyway, the idea is close to utilize that force sensor signal to control the hammer. Usually these sensors are ICP-Sensors that are directly connected to the data acquisition system that is used to perform the desired measurements. This contribution shows a way to interpose the controller of the hammer and so allow the usage of the measured force. This is used in combination with an iterative learning control scheme to find the best parameters to achieve the desired impact force on the structure in a repeatable and convenient way.