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Wikipedia defines a programmable automation controller (PAC) as a compact controller combining the features and capabilities of a PC-based control system with those of a traditional programmable logic controller (PLC). Indeed, because they represent the best of both advanced control and information-handling worlds, machine builders and engineers responsible for plant automation increasingly are turning to PACs to solve their toughest control problems.
This Knowledge Center offers an in-depth look at how a PAC platform can facilitate the efficient and integrated deployment of high accuracy measurements, in-line analysis, machine diagnosis and advanced control. You will also find several examples of applications that have successfully implemented these techniques and achieved significant improvement in productivity.
About National Instruments
For the last 30 years, National Instruments has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government, and academia approach measurement and automation.
To contact National Instruments or speak with a technical representative, click here.
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Take your datalogging system to extreme altitudes by using the rugged
CompactRIO platform
In this application, NI CompactRIO is used to record roll, pitch, yaw, XYZ acceleration, air pressure, GPS position, and altitude. The data is acquired at 60 S/s using a custom gyroscope module and two cRIO-9215 simultaneous sampling analog input modules. National Instruments CompactRIO is one of the most rugged and durable systems on the market. It is able to withstand the demands of the harshest environments. To prove the extreme durability, NI put CompactRIO to the test in some unusual applications. Click here to learn more.
ControlDesign.com Articles
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Webcasts
What is a Programmable Automation Controller (PAC)?
This 15-minute webcast discusses the basics on Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) and the history behind the development of this technology. This general overview will provide you with a foundation for understanding the PAC solution. Click here to view.
Motion Control Fundamentals
This technical tutorial walks you through the fundamentals of a motion system including software, controllers, amplifiers and motors. Along with learning the basics of motion control, you will also learn about some tools currently available to help you develop your motion control system. Click here to view.
Imaging Fundamentals
This technical tutorial will help you in developing machine vision and image processing applications. Each lesson steps through the issues you need to consider, the hardware and software involved in development, and the recommended programming techniques. Click here to view.
Resource Kits
Motion Control Resource Kit
With the Motion Control Resource Kit you will learn the fundamentals of motion control and techniques for implementing advanced motion control systems. This Kit includes whitepapers, tutorials, presentations and a teaching guide on how to design a complete motion control system. Click here to download.
Vision Resource Kit
The Vision Resources Kit includes white papers, tutorials and more. With this kit, you will learn about the components of a vision system, the essentials of image acquisition, and the tools and techniques of image processing. Click here to download.
Application Notes:
1. Sylvania Lighting develops a flexible machine control system using integrated vision, precision motion, measurement and control system. Click here to view.
2. I2S increases steel rolling precision by adding FPGA based embedded control system to existing PLC based controller for high accuracy measurements and online analysis. Click here to view.
3. Shell uses advanced control technology to stabilize long pipeline-riser gas/liquid flow for efficient production following a shutdown. Click here to view.
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Technology Articles
FPGA-Based Control: Millions of Transistors at Your Command (FAQ)
Field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology provides the reliability of dedicated hardware circuitry, true parallel execution and lightning fast closed loop control performance. This application note provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the use of reconfigurable FPGA-based hardware targets for closed-loop control applications. Click here to view.
Optimizing your machine control system using FPGA technology
Field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology provides the reliability of dedicated hardware circuitry, true parallel execution, and 20 MHz closed loop control performance. In this document we will show how to use LabVIEW FPGA-based programmable automation controllers (PACs) to improve the performance and reliability of your machine. We will demonstrate how to use LabVIEW FPGA tools to implement common analog and digital control loops and introduce new function blocks for motion control, sensor interfacing, filtering, scaling, integer math, and more. Click here to view.
10 Essential Technologies for High-Performance Motion Control
Motion controllers have incorporated key technologies over the years to meet the increasing demands of high-performance applications such as profile cutting and wafer inspection. This document covers the top 10 key technologies that impact your high-performance motion control applications. Click here to view.
Fundamentals of Motion Control
Hear you will learn the fundamentals of a motion control system including software, motion controller, drive, motor, feedback devices and I/O. This document starts out with explaining the components of a motional control system and includes additional resources on all topics covered. Click here to view.
Build Your Own Motion Control System
Building your own motion control system is quick and easy as long as you understand the fundamentals of motion control, select the right components, and develop your application using interactive prototyping software and leverage example code. This document is a great resource on motion control & includes over 60 application notes, 150 example programs, 15 tutorials / whitepapers, & more. Click here to view.
Building Distributed Monitoring and Control Systems
This paper examines the benefits of creating distributed monitoring and control systems as well as the fundamentals of building these systems. Engineers can use the concepts presented in this paper to design reliable, high performance systems today that can easily integrate with future technologies. Click here to view. |
