Developing Useful Mathematical Models for Fluid Power (.PDF Download)

Last month’s installment of "Motion Control" introduced the idea of analytical schematics, which are based on the existing family of standardized fluid power symbols (ISO R1219), while also attempting to convey some of the quantitative aspects of fluid power components. We will pursue that idea, but it must be preceded by some discussion of mathematical models, because schematics and models are merely different characterizations of the same thing. Specifically, we will address the question, “What is a mathematical model?”