A study of the manufacturer's techniques for calibrating pneumatic, electronic and smart transmitters, controllers, recorders, valves, valve positioners and smart valve positioners. Special laboratory emphasis on tear down, assembly, alignment, and calibration of studied equipment. Included is a review of codes and specifications of the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Labor-Boiler Control Division, OSHA, and National Fire Protection Association regarding boiler designs, operations, and inspections. Various signal conditioning methods and devices frequently utilized in computerized process control applications are stressed. The student follows the movement of digital data through common systems including LED Displays, Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog Converters, UARTs, and multiplexers, employing parallel and serial transfers using wire lines, fiber optics systems, and radio methods of transfer.
Special emphasis is placed on system block diagram concepts.
Students will develop the hardware and software mechanisms to control a robot work cell. An introduction to Distributed Process Control and Automated Manufacturing applications. Course topics include network communication methodologies, field device installation and configuration, control software usage, and control system design and implementation of strategies. This laboratory based course requires students to design and implement a process control application on a live process control network. Approval of department chair.