Title: A Six Sigma approach for the robust design of motor speed control using modelling and simulation

Authors: Wei Zhan

Addresses: Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843–3367, USA

Abstract: The robust design of the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) speed control of DC permanent magnetic motors is studied in this paper using the Six Sigma approach. A first principle model is developed for simulating the PWM motor speed control system. The Six Sigma DMAIC process is followed to reduce the variation in the average motor speed. The main factors of the cause for the average speed variation are identified using Design of Experiment (DOE). The Response Surface Method (RSM) is applied to derive a new design. The new design significantly reduces the variation without tightening the hardware tolerance bands. The entire Six Sigma project is carried out using modelling and simulation.

Keywords: motor control; pulse width modulation; PWM; six sigma; robust design; modelling; simulation; motor speed; speed control; DC permanent magnetic motors; DMAIC; average speed variation; design of experiments; DOE; response surface methodology; RSM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2008.020277

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2008 Vol.4 No.2, pp.95 - 113

Published online: 14 Sep 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article