DESCRIPTION

Technical Description

This experimental unit provides a comprehensive experimental introduction to the fundamentals of control engineering using an example of pressure control.

All components are clearly laid out on a vertical front panel. The large-format process schematic provides an aid to understanding. The controlled system is operated by compressed air, which must be provided by the laboratory. The use of two in-line pressure tanks permits a 2^nd order controlled system to be constructed. Disturbances can be generated by alternate air tapping by way of a hand-operated valve. Both pressure tanks are fitted with manometers. A pressure sensor measures the pressure. The controller used is a state-of-the-art digital industrial controller. The actuator in the control loop is an electro-pneumatic control valve. The controlled variable X and the manipulating variable Y can be tapped as analogue signals at lab jacks. This enables external recording equipment, such as a plotter or an oscilloscope, to be connected.

An instrumentation and control software (RT 650.40) with interface module (USB) is available as an accessory. This enables the key process variables to be represented, and control functions executed.

The well-structured instructional material sets out the fundamentals and provides a step-by-step guide through the experiments.

Learning Objectives / Experiments

- fundamentals of control engineering
- latest industrial control engineering components:controllers, transducers, actuators
- operation and parameter setting of a multi-functional state-of-the-art digital controller: e.g.parameter setting as P, PI and PID controller
- investigation of disturbance and control response
- influence of different controller parameters on stability and control quality
- investigation of the properties of the open and closed control loop
- processing of process variables using external equipment, e.g. plotter or oscilloscope
- together with accessory RT 650.40: familiarisation with and use of I&C software