Top 5 Control Engineering articles, August 4-10: PID control loops, PID math, process operation descriptions, more

Articles about centralized tuning PID control loops, PID math, writing a process operating description document, radio frequency basics, and motion control and robotics integration were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from last week, Aug. 4-10. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra August 11, 2014

1. Tuning PID control loops for fast response

When choosing a tuning strategy for a specific control loop, it is important to match the technique to the needs of that loop and the larger process. It is also important to have more than one approach in your repertoire, and the Cohen-Coon method can be a handy addition in the right situation. 

2. PID math demystified, part 4

You’ve seen the equations, but have you thought about how those elements work together? Part 4: Feed forward 

3. How to write a good process operation description document

Back to Basics: Describe your process to preserve the process engineer knowledge for the future. To program the process controller, programmable logic controller (PLC), or distributed control system (DCS), follow these steps and methodology. 

4. Radio frequency basics

Industrial wireless tutorials: Any radio frequency (RF) discussion quickly expands to the entire technology surrounding the generation and propagation of a radio signal or wave. Here’s what you need to know. 

5. Motion control and robotics integration

Controls for line-based motion control can be separate or integrated with robotics, depending on technologies used, connected networks, and sophistication of those involved. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, August 4-10, for articles published within the last two months.

– Chris Vavra, content specialist, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.