Ac 2007-232: Cost-effective Process Control Lab Setup

Many four-year engineering technology programs require or offer course(s) that emphasize examining the transient behavior of systems. The systems can be mechanical, electrical, chemical, or any other engineering discipline. These courses are generally classified as classes covering control system theory. Unfortunately, examining the transient behavior of control systems is very difficult in a lab environment. Frequently, computer software is utilized to model the systems and then monitor their behavior. Since engineering technology programs stress the concept of a “hands-on” approach, efforts are continually made to utilize hardware to fabricate physical systems that can be used to demonstrate class concepts. There are several companies that offer physical systems that can be modeled. Unfortunately, my experience is that these are very expensive. At the University of Maine, we stress the use of industrial equipment. We have developed a physical system using industrial equipment that students can readily use to validate concepts. The industrial equipment is a combination of inexpensive hardware store items, donated industrial equipment, and industrial equipment purchased at a reduced cost. This paper will describe the system and how it is used in the class to reinforce concepts. Further, it will discuss some of the lessons learned for how to build the system as quickly and as economically as possible.