Although there exist mathematical descriptions of the process by which a longwall coal-cutting system is steered vertically through an undulating coal seam, numerous factors neglected in such idealized models cause significant discrepancies between predicted and actual performance and cast some doubt on the adequacy of control systems designed on a purely theoretical basis. These factors are examined in detail and the design requirements for a 1/4-scale mechanical model are given together with details of its instrumentation and interfacing to the controlling computer for the purpose of exhaustive laboratory trials.
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