Palletizer Control Using non-invasive Electromyographic Signals.: Real-Time Digital Control Strategy

Abstract

Electromyography is a test widely used in the study of the electrical activity of muscles and nerves usually for medical purposes to measure the health of muscles and nerves in patients, however, the similarity of the signals generated in this study with those used in robotics in control systems, has opened the possibility of using them to bio-medical applications. This paper article presents a prototype for the control of a palletiser with one degree of freedom through EMG signals, the prototype was designed by digital electronics and allows the control of the palletiser in real time. The design is modular and consists of the following modules: acquisition and filtering; Processing and digital electronic decision system and, finally, the control-power interface that allows Human-machine interaction in a friendly way. The filtering and processing of EMG signals reduces the experimental noise by allowing a pattern to be established in the power signals. It achieves a robust control system that operates in real time by the effective value of power and in addition, the Human machine interface helps in the interpretation of control variables. Finally, the incorporation of reliable and efficient control systems based on EMG signals and digital electronics, allows exploring a viable alternative for the development of bio-medical and robotics prototypes such as the control of robotic arms in real time.