Terminal Iterative Learning Control design with singular value decomposition decoupling for thermoforming ovens

Abstract

Terminal iterative learning control (TILC) is a cycle-to-cycle control approach that can be used on thermoforming oven. TILC automatically tune the heater temperature setpoints such that the temperature at the surface of the plastic sheet tracks a desired temperature profile. Industrial thermoforming ovens can have a large number of temperature sensor (inputs) and heaters (outputs) which makes the design of TILC difficult. This paper presents the design of a TILC using the singular value decomposition decoupling technique. With this tool, the TILC design is facilitated for industrial thermoforming oven.