Blog

What is Model-Predictive Control?

By Control Guru | July 23, 2014

Model-Predictive Control (MPC) is advanced technology that optimizes the control and performance of business-critical production processes. So is Control Loop Performance Monitoring (CLPM) software. But if both help practitioners to optimize control loop performance, then what’s the difference?

What Is Cascade Control? How Is Cascade Control Configured?

By Control Guru | July 17, 2014

As they say: Timing is everything.  The lag between upset and response directly impacts a system’s performance along with the performance of other processes with which it interacts.  Fortunately, there are a variety of approaches available that leverage the PID’s capabilities.  These approaches improve a system’s ability to reject the negative impact of disturbances.  Cascade Control is among them.

What is Lambda Tuning?

By Control Guru | June 27, 2014

Tuning a PID controller should always start with a clear understanding of both the control objective and the Design Level of Operation (DLO).  Unfortunately a subsequent step (the calculation of tuning parameters) can often put practitioners in a bind relative to achieving the designated objective.

What is Variance? What Metrics are Useful in Identifying Process Change?

By Control Guru | June 21, 2014

Ever walk onto the production floor and just sense that something was different? Whether it was something you saw, heard or even felt, a certain sixth sense kicked in and triggered an alert something’s changed. With what takes place at a production facility change is an everyday occurrence. Considering the typical facility’s size, the interconnected unit operations, the network of piping and instrumentation, and the nonstop throughput, there’s no avoiding change. In fact, a key part of the job is simply staying one step ahead of it.