Abstract: A feedforword controller based on an active disturbance rejection control(ADRC) strategy is presented to strengthen accuracy and stability of the register system in multi-color shaftless gravure printing machines. First, a nonlinear and coupling model is established according to the register system working principle, and then, the linear model of the register system is constructed based on one order Taylor formula. Second, to improve the speed and accuracy of register control, a new feedforward ADRC controller is presented according to the linear model of multi-color register system. The controller is unique in that it uses feedforward control to compensate the known interference, and the ADRC to adjust the inputs of the register system and actively estimate and compensate the unknown disturbances in real time, which makes the accuracy of the register controller have been greatly improved. Finally, the simulation shows that the proposed register controller is able to realize a high precision control for the multi-color register system and endowed with better control performance than PID controller in register control.

Key words: active disturbance rejection control, feedforword controller, gravure printing machine, register control