Using shock response spectra to design motion control profiles for flexible structures

Shock response spectra are applied to the problem of controlling flexible s tructures. It is shown using computer simulations that specific command tim es in motion specifications will produce a minimum of first mode vibration in a driven flexible member. A simple formula for determining the most favo rable positioning command time is derived from response spectra plots gener ated for commonly used motion command profiles. A feed-forward control stra tegy for conditioning position commands is presented based on the formula, and the approach is demonstrated using a damped single-degree-of-freedom mo del of a flexible structure.