Tag: Automation
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Why you should replace your old DCS systems with modern ones
To keep up with evolving technology manufacturers need to upgrade their legacy Distributed Control Systems (DCS). This might be a challenging task to undertake and at a cost to the company, but in the long run the benefits outweigh the costs of doing the upgrade. The legacy DCS systems faces increased components failure that leads…
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Basic Features of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers What is a Programmable Logic Controller? A PLC is a user friendly; microprocessor-based specialized equipment that carries out many types of control functions with levels of complexity for use in industrial automation applications. Its objective is to monitor crucial process parameters and adjust process operations accordingly. A PLC can be…
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Pneumatic Actuators
Valves cannot control a process by themselves. Manual valves require an operator to position them to control a process variable. Valves that must be operated remotely and automatically require special devices to move them. These devices are called actuators. Actuators may be pneumatic, hydraulic, electric solenoids or motors. In this article we look at specifically…
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What is a Mechatronics System?
Mechatronics Mechatronics can be defined as a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field of engineering dealing with the design of products whose function relies on the integration of mechanical and electronic components coordinated by a control architecture. The primary disciplines that are important in the design of mechatronic system include mechanics, electronics, controls and computer engineering. A…
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Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Speed Control of a DC motor
We can control the speed of a motor using an open loop control or closed loop control strategy. The open loop control is the simplest form of motor control; here we simply set the drive voltage value and the motor characteristics and the load determines the operating speed & torque. But you will find that…
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Proportional Control Systems
The control mode In the proportional control mode, the final control element is throttled to various positions that are dependent on the process systems conditions. The controller operates within a band that is between the 0 % output point and the 100 % output point and where the output of the controller is proportional to…
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Principles of Control Systems
A control system is a system of integrated elements whose function is to maintain a process variable at a desired value or within a desired range of values. The control system monitors a process variable or variables, and then causes some action to occur to maintain the desired system parameter. A good example in a…