Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session 1359

COMPUTER CONTROL OF MACHINES AND PROCESSES

George A. Perdikaris, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Abstract

A method is presented for controlling machines and processes by a microcomputer. Examples of a motor drive plant (machine) and a heating plant (process) are presented. The computer controlled systems are designed and simulated using the language SIMULINK.1 The motor control system is implemented in the laboratory. Results obtained from computer simulation are compared with laboratory findings.

I. Introduction

Industrial automation incorporating computers is becoming increasingly important in the production of goods and services. Automation systems are used to make paper, metal, wood, plastic, and other types of products; similar systems are also used to control the speed and fuel injection of an automobile or the temperature and humidity of an office building.

The basic premise of modern automation systems is efficient manufacturing. What this means is that manufacturers can bring new products to the market faster, keep inventories low, make products of consistently high quality, and have flexible facilities which allow for the manufacture of a variety of products. Furthermore, such systems help improve communication within the company as well as with its customers and suppliers.

It is a highly sophisticated job to design and build automation systems that operate and coordinate manufacturing processes. Quite often, such systems involve the application of computers to control the speed or position of the shaft of a motor, in real time. The “spinning” of motors intelligently is a high-tech marvel, fundamental to quality manufacturing. In the metal processing industry, for instance, the doors of refrigerators, washers, and dryers are formed out of steel, which is cut to size from large coils of metal and then pressed into shape by large presses, usually controlled precisely by computers. In the paper, plastics, or wood industries, as another example, consumer products ranging from toilet paper and baby diapers to office furniture and automobiles are also made by controlling machines and processes by computers.

This paper presents practical and systematic methods for modeling, simulation, and real-time control of two types of industrial systems. First, a method is presented for designing a computer controlled system that can be used to control the speed or position of a motor drive plant. Results obtained by computer simulation are verified experimentally. Next, a method is presented for designing a temperature (process) control system. The Ziegler-Nichols method for tuning the relevant proportional-plus-integral (PI) controller is illustrated and verified by computer simulation. 1 SIMULINK is a registered trademark of MathWorks, Inc.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Perdikaris, G. A. (2000, June), Microcomputer Control Of Machines And Processes Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8563