• What is control technology?
• The industrial revolution in fast motion
• What types of control technology are there?
  • SPS - programmable logic controller
  • VPS - Connection-programmed open-loop controls
  • CNC - Computerised Numerical Control
  • RC - Robot Control
• Our quotation in the field of control technology

What is control technology?

In addition to sensors and actuators open-loop controls are a central element in automation technology. The term control technology or industrial control technology stands for devices that control, regulate, monitor, collect data, communicate and diagnose. In the narrower sense, "control" in automation technology is understood to mean the influencing a material or energy flow through a control loop by a closed loop system in which several signals are processed. The result in turn influences the closed loop system, and the input variable influences the controlled output variable.

The industrial revolution in fast motion

The important roller of the control technology in industrial development is illustrated by the future project Industry 4.0 project of the German government and German industry. Below are the four stages of the industrial revolution in fast motion:

• Stage 1 - Beginning: 1784, with the use of mechanical looms, which were replaced in particular by wooden open-loop control systems and later by open-loop controls with revolving belts were further developed into weaving machines.
• Stage 2 - Beginning: 1870, with the first use of assembly lines in the USA (Cincinnati abattoirs), using electric drives. electric driveswhich were switched by appropriate contactors and open-loop controls.
• Stage 3 - Beginning: 1969, with the first programmable open-loop controls from the US company Modicon (type Modicon 084, inventor: Richard E. Morley). These marked a breakthrough in industrial electronics and information technology for the mass open-loop control and automation of production.
• Stage 4 - Industry 4.0. Start: 2012, with the development and use of so-called cyber-physical systems (CPS) for globally networked, open-loop control of internationally organised production (Internet of Things). This gradual transition from the third to the fourth stage has been made increasingly accessible to the general public at the Hannover Messe trade show every year since 2013.

What types of control technology are there?

In automation technology, there are many designations for open-loop controls with special functions, including, for example

SPS - programmable logic controller

In the simplest case, a PLC has inputs and outputs, an operating system and an interface via which a user program can be loaded. This determines how the outputs are to be switched depending on the inputs. The SPS is connected to the machine or system via integrated sensor technology and actuators.

As sensors are pushbuttons, incremental encoders, light switches, limit switches, etc. As actuators are, for example, contactors, electric valves or modules for drive controllers (motion control, open-loop speed control with controlled acceleration/deceleration, stepper motor controls). Various displays or visualizations show the status.

VPS - Connection-programmed open-loop controls

Here, the control logic (programme) is implemented through a connection of relays (contact controls). The structure is based on relays, which are generally used for simple control tasks.

CNC - Computerised Numerical Control

CNCs are used in machine tools (turning, drilling and milling machines). Here, dual numerical codes, which are stored in the open-loop control, map the workpiece to be originated (hence the name "numerical control"). These coordinates are converted into motion sequences for the workpiece by the CNC open-loop control with the help of software.

RC - Robotics Control

These open-loop controls were specially developed for industrial robots and are very similar in logical structure to CNC controls.

Our quotation in the field of control technology

SEW-EURODRIVE concentrates in the area of control technology on closed-loop control close to the drive. Depending on the application or machine, we combine scalable controller hardware with easily programmable motion control software. The The integrated control program covers a wide range of motion functions - from simple positioning to cam and robot kinematic models.

• As soon as several axes with different drive solutions need to function in complex motion sequences, the controller hardware portfolio from SEW-EURODRIVE comes into play. Depending on the application, the product range extends from classic Control cabinet solutions through to decentralised inverter-integrated solutions.
• In the area of controller software SEW-EURODRIVE offers a variety of application modules in which motion sequences from handling units to production machines only need to be parameterised. Of course, it is also possible to use the control software for freely programmable, more complex movements movements.
• For visualisation visualisation naturally also includes appropriate displays and operator terminals. SEW-EURODRIVE offers these in the DOP series. With the optional Windows operating system, we provide an optimum basis for the MOVI-PLC® controllers for controller-based visualisation solutions visualisation solutions.