PID Tuner

Apply the latest insights in control engineering in a click of a button

8.7/10 (31 Ratings)

Using the PID Tuner, you can apply the latest insights in control engineering to your industrial environment with the click of a button. PID controllers in any software and hardware environment (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Omron, Arduino, etc.) can be optimally tuned with the PID Tuner.

The PID Tuner tunes PID controllers based on a model. Usually, this will be a model obtained from actual data. The procedure to obtain such a model is refered to as identification. The data should not just be ordinary data, but data obtained during a so-called identification experiment. Below, we explain the steps in the DotX PID Tuner that one usually will have to go through:
Step 1. connect the PID Tuner on-line, or switch on some data logger to use the PID Tuner later in off-line mode
Step 2. while the loop is active, perform a setpoint bump test, or gather data while setpoint is changed by a master loop. Also, perform an open loop bump test for identification purposes
Step 3. Identify a model from the experimental data obtained in step 2
Step 4. Select the PID type
Step 5. Tune the PID
Step 6. Verify and generate a report

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Features

Supports on-line and off-line mode

In on-line mode, all required data are obtained in real-time, through OPC communication. In off-line mode, you can import data from files (csv format).

Offline mode

Import .csv files

In the offline mode .csv files can be imported. We require one column for time, one for the PID output (MV), one for the controlled variable (PV) and one for the setpoint (SP).

Online Mode

Connect in realtime using OPC DA

If you have an OPC server running, the PID tuner can directly connect to it. You can select the tags for PV, MV and SP and their values will be logged automatically to an SQLite database. Also you can perform experiments in realtime. The PID Tuner comes with an OPC server for Arduinos, but not for other brands.

Extensive Model Identification Options

The PID tuning requires a System Model, and this model is usually obtained from data (model identification). The PID Tuner does not only support identification of the FOTD model, but also SOTD model.

FOTD Model

First-order-time-delay model

For most process models this is the prefered model. If needed, our models can capture MIMO dynamics as well. Identify the model by simply pushing a button. Watch the match between the model and data in the interacctive display. Our robust algorithms adjust the model parameters automatically to create the best fit to data. Alternatively, type in model parameter values yourself.

SOTD Model

Second-order-time-delay model

In some cases you need a Second Order Time Delay model. For instance, to capture badly damped dynamics. If needed, our models can capture MIMO dynamics as well. And last but not least, you can import any linear model directly from file. Click here to see the advantage of a SOTD model

Supports tuning of all PID types

Supports all PID types, among which DeltaV, Siemens, Omron, Rockwell , Yokogawa. Different vendors use different PID types. Therefore, we included all options: the parallel form, direct form, proportional band format and setpoint weight parameters. Scaling parameters, often not published, are found by automatic fitting.

Select your PID type

Support for most PID types

The PID Tuner allows you to select the PID type used by your vendor. We support the standard, series, interacting, parallel, and ideal form.

Extensive tuning options

The PID Tuner supports tuning not only the P, I and D constants but also the other options supported by vendors, such as setpoint weighting, setpoint filtering, deadbands, rate and position limitations,

Optimal tuning

For your choosen PID type

Once a PID type is choosen, the autotune options will give you the ‘optimal’ PID parameters to minimize the output variance.

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Setpoint Filtering

Tune the filter time constant

One method to prevent overshoots after a setpoint change is to apply setpoint filtering. The PID Tuner has a tuning option which helps to find the optimal time constant.

Tuning of setpoint weights

to avoid overshoot

Most vendors include the option to apply setpoint weighting. Sometimes they call this an a and b factor. This is the prefered way to prevent overshoots after a setpoint change. However finding the correct values is tricky.

Installation Instructions

FAQ

Question: Does the installation require administrator rights?
Answer: Yes. When you install the software, it will propose a folder location, usually something like C:/Program Files/. Make sure you have admin rights over that folder. If not, choose a folder over which you do have admin rights. ? Question: When running the setup on Windows 10 a smartscreen warning might appear.
Answer:Make sure to click “More info” and a button “Run anyway” will appear to continue the installation.

Requirements

Windows 7

Support

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