The MBC500 is a tabletop rotor system supported by electro-magnets
rather than traditional journal bearings. Fitted with a turbine, the
rotor can be spun up to high speeds to investigate various control
stategies regarding the stabilization of a spinning rotor. Due to the
actuator-sensor configuration, the MBC500 is also a good Multi-Input
Multi-Output (MIMO) testbed for controls research.