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Ball and Beam Apparatus
Ball and Beam Apparatus (Product Code: SLE/ETC/03) is an unstable-system control trainer used to teach active feedback control of a naturally unstable double integrator in control engineering laboratories. A steel ball rolls on two parallel tensioned wires carried by a centre-pivoted beam, while a servo motor tilts the beam and sensors report beam angle and ball position. The apparatus comes from Jain Scientific Equipments Pvt Ltd (ScienceLab), an OEM manufacturer, and is made at its own factory in Ambala, India.
Key Details
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ball | Steel ball, free to roll on two parallel tensioned wires |
| Beam | Carries the wires and pivots at its centre |
| Actuator | Servo motor controlling the beam angle |
| Sensors | Measure the beam angle and the ball position |
| System type | Double integrator — naturally unstable |
| Control method | Active feedback control using phase-advance methods |
| Real-world analogy | A rocket or missile during launch, which needs active control to prevent it going unstable and toppling over |
| Product code | SLE/ETC/03 |
| Manufacturer | Jain Scientific Equipments Pvt Ltd (ScienceLab) — OEM |
| Country of origin | India (made in Ambala, Haryana) |
What Is the Ball and Beam Apparatus Used For?
The basic control problem is to vary the beam angle so the ball stays at, or moves to, a chosen position. Left alone, the ball simply rolls to one end — which is exactly why the apparatus is valuable: students must design a controller that actively stabilises the system rather than merely speeding up one that is already stable.
A common teaching sequence starts with an inner loop on beam angle through the servo motor, followed by an outer ball-position loop using phase-advance (lead) compensation. The comparison with launch-vehicle stability makes the theory memorable for aerospace, mechatronics and electrical students, and gives engineering lab equipment collections a very visible demonstration of instability.
OEM Manufacturer
ScienceLab is the brand under which Jain Scientific Equipments Private Limited sells its own laboratory equipment, and the company is the OEM for the Ball and Beam Apparatus. The unit is fabricated and assembled at its licensed factory in Saha, Ambala, Haryana, India. Because buyers deal with the manufacturer directly, questions about a replacement ball, wires or other spares can simply be put to us. Learn more on the company profile.
Related Control & Process Engineering Trainers
These trainers extend the stability and servo topics introduced by the Ball and Beam Apparatus.
- Ball and Hoop Apparatus — servo position control with a ball that behaves like a pendulum
- Servo Trainer — d.c. servo speed and position control with adjustable non-linear effects
- Controller — phase-lead, proportional, integral and PID blocks for building the stabilising loop
- Digital Interface — computer input/output for running digital controllers
Find all servo, process and control apparatus in the Control & Process Engineering Trainers category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Ball and Beam Apparatus unstable?
The Ball and Beam Apparatus is a double integrator: tilting the beam makes the ball accelerate, and its position keeps changing unless the angle is corrected. This makes it naturally unstable, so it needs active feedback control using phase-advance methods.
What sensors are fitted to the Ball and Beam Apparatus?
The Ball and Beam Apparatus has sensors that measure the beam angle and the ball position. A servo motor controls the beam angle, giving students both the measurements and the actuator needed to close a position-control loop.
What does the ball roll on in the Ball and Beam Apparatus?
In the Ball and Beam Apparatus, a steel ball rolls freely on two parallel tensioned wires. The wires sit on a beam that pivots at its centre, so changing the beam angle moves the ball along the wires.
What real systems does the Ball and Beam Apparatus represent?
The Ball and Beam Apparatus represents the control problems of unstable systems, for example a rocket or missile during launch, which needs active control to stop it going unstable and toppling over.
Who manufactures the Ball and Beam Apparatus?
Jain Scientific Equipments Pvt Ltd (ScienceLab) manufactures the Ball and Beam Apparatus as the OEM at its own licensed factory in Saha, Ambala, Haryana, India. Buying from the maker means a replacement ball or wire can be requested from the same source.
Can the Ball and Beam Apparatus be ordered for several lab benches?
Yes. The Ball and Beam Apparatus can be quoted as a single unit or for multiple benches, for buyers in India and international markets. Share the quantity and delivery location through our contact page so the manufacturer can prepare the quotation.
Request a Quote
To receive a price for the Ball and Beam Apparatus, use the contact page or add it to the enquiry cart. Your quotation is sent directly by the manufacturer, ScienceLab.
Last updated: 24 September 2026
