Continuous Control Systems
Class Schedule
Learn the practical fundamentals of automatic process control theory through classroom case analysis and hands-on problem solving. You will learn the four basic characteristics of every industrial process, and use this understanding to control and tune the process loop. Explore the cause and effect relationship of properties of physical systems and their control, feedback control stability and response characteristics, basics of traditional three mode (proportional integral and derivative) tuning of control loops. Advanced control topics include ratio, cascade, modeling of physical systems, feed forward, override, and multi-variate control. You will get hands-on practice using PC Control Lab software. Many of our students report immediate returns from this class because they are able to apply what they are learning to solving their in-plant control problems.
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PLC and Soft Logic Controllers
Class Schedule
Programmable Logic Controllers continue to be used as the primary control device in the industrial control industry. In addition Soft Logic Controllers have begun to emerge as an alternative method of control in many applications. In this hands-on class, students will learn PLC and control fundamentals including ladder logic, statement list and function block programming. Students will gain experience in control systems design, programming and PLC/Soft Logic based process control through lab exercises. Evaluation and selection of system components as well as advanced programming examples will be discussed.
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Networks for Industrial Applications
Class Schedule
The industrial control industry has moved from a control-centric focus to an information-centric focus. Industrial Ethernet and I/O Bus networks have become more commonplace over legacy proprietary networks. Today's industrial networks are designed to provide a connection between industrial devices to capture critical plan floor data in addition to providing control. This hands-on class will provide the student with an understanding of network systems, Industrial Ethernet, OPC connectivity, Wireless communications, network security, and supervisory control/data acquisition software. Students will utilize lab assignments as well has Web-based research to enhance their learning experience.
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Advanced PLC Programming
This is an advanced programming class where students learn how to plan, program, and implement a control application. The class includes ladder logic, statement list, and function block programming languages. Learn the benefits of using different languages including those specified in the IEC 1131-3 standard. The proper way to organize projects through effective project management techniques will also be covered, including timing charts, flow charts, and process instrumentation diagrams. Programming strategies for discrete, continuous, and batch applications will be discussed. Gain programming experience through hands-on lab exercises.
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Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Systems
The heart of the plant is the process information that is collected: sensors collect and monitor the plant and transmitting devices allow the control or direction of the plant. Signals present in the plant can generally be grouped into either continuous (analog) or event (digital) signals. This class reviews sensors and measuring systems used to monitor process information such as temperature, pressure, level and flow, proximity and other sensors will be discussed. Computer based data acquisition will be covered including:
- Analog signal conditioning and filtering
- System grounding and ground loops
- Single ended vs. differential signals
- Common noise rejection & instrumentation and programmable gain amplifiers
- Multiplexing signals & analog to digital conversion
- Signal quantization & aliasing errors
- Nyquist criteria & digital filtering
- Alarm processing & data analysis
Students will build and run data acquisition systems with real-time process signals.
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Process and Environmental Control Systems
Green is today's buzz word. Green products and practices save the environment while also saving money. Learn how major companies are cashing in by implementing "green" control technologies. Learn specific industrial control technologies that are being used to "green" food processing, chemical, materials processing, water and wastewater, aerospace, building management, energy management, pollution control, and more. Classroom exercises help you practice how to identify and quantify green opportunities, how to implement them, and how to sell them to your management, customers, and investors.
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