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PID, APC

Model-less multivariable control (XMC) automates the way operating teams have always carried out multivariable constraint control and optimization manually. Notably, this method does not require detailed models or embedded optimizers. XMC uses patented rate-predictive control (RPC) internally. Courtesy: APC Performance LLC
PID, APC August 11, 2020

Model-less multivariable control technology acquired

Lin and Associates, Inc. has agreed to acquire APC Performance LLC's model-less multivariable control (XMC) technology, which provides back-end control to distributed control systems and programmable controllers.

By Chris Vavra
Courtesy of: Courtesy: CFE Media and Technology
Safety June 2, 2020

Control Engineering hot topics, May 2020

Control Engineering's most clicked articles in May 2020 included stories about the impacts of COVID-19, 3D printed PPE, remote management, advanced controls, IoT, and more. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Keagan Gay
Courtesy: Proctek SAS
PID, APC May 4, 2020

Advanced controls, linear programming, fuzzy logic

To obtain optimal disposition of water injection flow in oil production facilities, linear programming techniques and advanced control based on fuzzy logic were applied. Better control increased field production and allows more effective responses to deviations that can damage people, goods or reduce production.

By Juan David Medina Gonzalez, Silvia Marina Araujo Daza MSc, Hernan Ivan Cadena Celis
The red curve is the phase of the loop gain before adding a notch filter in the loop. The green curve is the phase of the notch filter being added to the loop (with center frequency of five rad/sec). The black curve is the resulting phase of plant loop gain, which is found by adding the phase at each frequency of the red and green curve. At four rad/sec, the phase of the red curve phase (-140 degrees) plus the green curve phase (-40 degrees) is -180 degrees, which is shown on the black curve. Courtesy: Aerotech
Process Manufacturing April 22, 2020

How to tune servo systems (Part 1): Questions and answers

Inside Machines: More answers regarding servo system tuning follow the March 11 webcast on the same topic.

By Joseph Profeta
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media
Research April 13, 2020

Top 5 Control Engineering Articles April 6-12, 2020

Articles about COVID-19's impacts on engineers, manufacturers and electronic industry, and advanced process control were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from April 6-12, 2020. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Keagan Gay
Courtesy: APC Performance LLC
Process Manufacturing April 4, 2020

Understanding multivariable control: The missing metric

Advanced process control: An improved understanding of the role of multivariable control in industrial process operations will lead to more cost-effective solutions and engage a wider circle of people in the process automation enterprise.

By Allan Kern
Figure: Three top skill sets to get ahead are engineering, project management, and communication/presentation. Courtesy: Control Engineering research, CFE Media and CFE Technology
Discrete Manufacturing February 14, 2020

Hot topics in Control Engineering for 2019

Think Again: Engineering salaries and career tips, object-oriented programming, rate-predictive control, Internet of Things (IoT) and career advice were among top articles posted on the Control Engineering website during 2019.

By Mark T. Hoske
Figure 1: By integrating data into the cloud, an environment is created for cross-sectional analysis, with third-party consultants able to perform high-precision analysis and provide suggestions for optimizing production. Courtesy: Yokogawa Electric Corp.
PID, APC February 10, 2020

Top 5 Control Engineering articles February 3-9

Articles about the Engineers' Choice winners, advanced process control, robotics and AI in agriculture, intelligent cloud use, and exoskeletons were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from February 3-9. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
Intuitive touchscreen displays put a wealth of real-time data and analysis tools at operators’ fingertips so they can monitor, adjust and learn from their machinery while moving through the field. Courtesy: John Deere/RIA
Process Manufacturing February 1, 2020

Control Engineering hot topics, January 2020

Control Engineering's most clicked articles in January 2020 included stories about the System Integrator Giants, Engineers' Choice finalists, robots in agriculture, subscription software, and advanced process control answers. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
Industry expected model-predictive control (MPC) to naturally expand into the multi-loop control (MLC) region, but that never happened; MPC costs of ownership remain high and MPC remains primarily a high-end solution. MLC represents an important, but under-developed part of the APC matrix spectrum. Courtesy: Control Engineering webcast, Advanced process control: Past, present and future.
PID, APC January 27, 2020

Top 5 Control Engineering articles January 20-26

Articles about the System Integrator Giants, advanced process control, robotics and AI in agriculture, improved process control engineering, and revamped HMIs were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from January 20-26. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra