Fluid Lab®-PA can be used to teach and demonstrate the fundamentals of control technology. The main components required for actuating the MPS® PA stations using a PC are the "EasyPort" and the Fluid Lab®-PA software.
Fluid Lab®-PA can be easily installed on any Microsoft Windows operating system.
Key features
Three main functions are integrated in Fluid Lab®-PA in combination with the EasyPort:
M as in measurement
For detection and evaluation of measured variables from 8 digital/4 analogue input signals.
C as in open-loop control
For binary or continuous control of 8 digital/2 analogue outputs.
R as in closed-loop (regulated) control
For freely selectable closed-loop control functions such as 2-point, P, I, PI and PID.
Actual process or simulation
All exercises and experiments can be performed online on the actual process in conjunction with the station or offline using the pre-integrated simulation.
"Settings" menu item
The following parameters can be set here for the four analogue input channels and the sensors connected to them:
- Factor
- Offset
- Filter
- Inversion
The analogue and binary output signals can also be switched and the signal states of the inputs read off. General PC system settings can also be made here.
"Process Sequence" menu item
The process sequence of each station can be easily started from Fluid Lab®-PA. All of the process steps are visualised and can be monitored on the flow chart.
"Measuring and Control" menu item
All the functions of the MPS® PA station can be clearly and directly controlled. The states of the process valves, pumps and sensors are graphically recorded, which means they can be directly evaluated. The following functions are provided for recording the sensor characteristics and determining the step response:
- Selection of measuring channels
- Factor for physical scale
- Adaptation of the time scale
- Display of the input signals
- Setting of output signals, switching on/off of the manipulated variable
- Printing of the measured value display or saving as a .jpg file
"Analysis" menu item
Analyses of a wide range of process components can be directly performed using predefined exercises, for example:
- Recording of sensor characteristics
- Recording of pump characteristics
- Recording of heating characteristics
This permits a fast and thorough understanding of the typical process components.
"2-Point Controller" and "Continuous Controller" menu item
For easy parameterisation of the required controller with an immediate effect on the process. One click of the mouse starts various controller functions for the selected control system. Documentation of the controller parameters is also straightforward. The measured values and characteristic curve profiles can be easily printed out.