How to Program a Basic PID Loop in ControlLogix

PLC programmers often have to deal with control loops in automation programming to control pressure, temperature, flow rate, etc. The programmer needs to control the feedback process variable while setting a target point. This doesn’t happen in one day. It’s better if you get ControlLogix PLC Training to make sure the coding goes smoothly.

Understanding PID control loop

When programmers need to make some corrective effort to apply and implement on a process, they use the PID control loop. It helps to drive the measurable process variable as close to the target point. This stage will consist of two parts: the actuator used by the controller and the sensor that helps to measure the results.

Programming with the basic PID loop in Controllogix

Launch the Controllogix program on your desktop by double clicking on it. Your objective now is to create a new project. So, select the controller you prefer and rename it. Hit Next and keep following the instructions on the screen until it prompts Finish.

• Creating the new task

Your first job is to create a new Task that helps to develop a new Routine. So, head over to the Program menu and create a scheduled task. Right-click on Tasks, followed by New Task. Rename the New Task. Try and keep a simple name. You will notice that Controllogix automatically assigns a period for the task. This often depends on the sample rate from the PID loop. You can manually change the period for better functioning.

• Creating the new program

If you are happy with the period for the task, move over to creating the new program. Right-click on the PID Control and select New Program from the list. You get a menu from where you select Add and then go to the Program part. You can rename the program and click on OK to continue.

• Creating the new routine

Your third step to program a basic PID loop in Controllogix is creating a new routine. Select and right click on the newly-created program. You will find Add in the list. Click on it to continue with the new routine. Again, rename the new routine. Also, make sure that the routine type is set to Function Block Diagram. If all’s well, click on OK. Your new routine will get added to the Controller Organizer. Find this organizer on your left pane of the new window. You can also open it by double-clicking.

• Adding the routine block to the programming environment

This is one of the most critical parts of PID loop in Controllogix. So, you created a new task, new program, and a new routine. Now, go to the Process Tab in the Controllogix library and add the routine on the sheet.

You need to configure the routine block to open its properties. Double click on the routine block and go to the General Configuration tab. It is better to use the default configuration unless you are an expert. But, make sure you follow the conditions below:

• For Timing, always use the Periodic Mode.

• For Control Action, always set the function to E.

• For Calculate or understand the Proportional parameter, always set the derivative term as PV.

The control variable limits usually use the same temperature that the engineering units use. So, that is one relief for the programmers. They don’t have to tweak with these settings anymore. Once you go through the settings, confirm everything and hit OK.

There are more detailed functions of Controllogix, but if you want to learn the basics of PID loop, don’t forget to follow this guide.

What Is Service Scheduling Software and How Can It Help A Business?

When you are running a service business, with a large number of technicians or employees in the field, scheduling can become a challenge – even a nightmare. The difference between getting the service calls scheduled at the right time and in the right sequence can be the difference between profitability or insolvency. With a proper service scheduling software, you can decrease your overhead spent on employees working in dispatch and keep things humming along smoothly, without scheduling difficulties or inefficiencies.


What Is Scheduling Software?

The answer to this is actually very easy for you to figure out. It is a software program that is going to do exactly what it says and that is to schedule your employees and the time and location of the services that they need to deliver. Whether you are in the plumbing, electrician, lawn care, construction, pool service, or house cleaning industry, this is going to allow for the tracking of multiple factors and even makes it easier for you to know how much work you can expect to get from each employee on each service call.

Types of Service Scheduling Software

Service scheduling software is going to be one of the primary types that you will find. This is a program that is going to make it easier for you to get all of your employees scheduled on the right routes, schedule, etc. However, what you will find is this is going to allow you to balance out the schedules for the hours per week the employees are supposed to have and this will allow the employees to have their vacation schedule as well. With most of these software that handle this type of work you are able to get it noted as to how many hours people are supposed to have, but also have the software auto populate some of the scheduling to ensure that everyone has the right hours and no shifts are missed on the coverage when you are scheduling.

Hotel booking software is another type of a scheduling software. The main difference is this type of software will generally allow the people who are inputting the information to avoid overbooking and it will be set up for the limits that people are going to have needed for the rooms. Not to mention, this is an advanced software that tends to auto calculate the price of the rooms that people are going to be using and know they are going to be able to give the customers an estimate on how much the bill will cost them.

Finally, you will find that a lot of people will like the scheduling software that is available for doctors, mechanics, and other appointment software. This is going to allow people to know when they are going to be needed in a certain location, but also will be able to give the jobs or appointments to certain people at a certain time, to help them stay on task.

How Will This Help A Business?

This is a software program that multiple service industries will find as being an invaluable tool. The reason they will love this software is it allows for efficient scheduling of each service call, and plans the routing in the most effective order. It also allows field staff to know what kind of work they will have to do each day. Not to mention, this will make it easier to avoid any lapses in coverage that people may have when they are doing the schedule by hand.

Getting the right software can make the difference between having a great running business or having one that is going to have some issues. This is when you should know more about what service scheduling software is and how it will help out a business. By knowing more about this software it will be easy for you to find the right program and know it will actually help keep everyone on track for the job, but also allow you to know what employee is doing what job when they are working.

What Factors Into Professional Web Site Design?

There are actually different techniques to approach the introduction of an internet site, and you’ve probably found out about professional web design as designed to using templates. Specifically, new website owners are questioning whether they should purchase a custom site, or whether they must take among the many free templates available through platforms like WordPress.

Well, there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, what you should be asking is the way seriously do you want people to take the site?

Choosing Free Templates

As said before, there is certainly nothing wrong with employing a free template. When you don’t use a budget, then make best use of the theme you select. And when you are just testing this type of water to view what you really are capable of doing, playing around with a free theme are often very helpful.

However, you happen to be limited when themes cost nothing. Given that they are created according to the ideals of the author, you really your blog work together with these built in presets.

Additionally, the website won’t stand out such as you need it, which is not the best thing in case you have bigger plans for your site.

Getting Professional Website Design

There are plenty of great things that are included with custom and professional website design services. For example, the website is generated as outlined by your vision and what your potential audience will find appealing.

Plus, everything in regards to the site will probably be geared towards supporting the theme and making the internet site more engaging overall.

Addititionally there is the challenge of earning the website responsive for multiple devices. This simply means every user, regardless of which preferred device they normally use to access the website, may have an incredible experience.

The fact is there are many stuff you have to concentrate on, and if you need users and look engines for taking you seriously, you need to launch a seriously professional site produced by experts.