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Virtual Festo MPS® PA Workstation for Level and Temperature Process Control

Abstract:

This article presents the design and implementation of a virtual Festo Modular Production System of Automatic Processes (MPS® PA) workstation in real-time for control systems under an industrial approach. The virtual workstation is composed by level and temperature processes, considering a high level of detail of its elements, the main advantage is that the virtual workstation allows multiple access for the users from any location. Moreover, the virtual workstation allows the learning of the student or operator in topics regarding to control systems and modeling, developing different activities. To validate the dynamic performance of the virtual workstation, a PID controller is integrated for each control variable using the λ tuning technique, the transient and steady-state response are analyzed against changes disturbances generated in the virtual plant. The signals are displayed on a virtual human-machine interface (HMI), this allows adjust the controller gains and the input and output signals of the processes. AutoCAD - 3DS Max is used as modern tool and effective in achieving virtualization. Computer-aided design allows compatibility links between software and makes the application immersive and interactive by considering the three-dimensional representation of objects in Unity3D and exchanging information with Matlab through a control algorithm using shared memory.