Digital control system:

Advantages of digital computers over analog systems:

1- Reduced cost
2- Flexibility in response to design changes

A/D is called analog-to-digital converter.

D/A is called digital-to- analog converter.
Analog-to-digital conversion is a two-step process and is not instantaneous. There is a delay between
the input analog voltage and the output digital word.
In an analog-to-digital converter the analog signal is:
1- Converted to a sampled signal
2- And then converted to a sequence of binary numbers.

We start with the analog signal

M = Maximum analog voltage

M/2n n is the number of binary bits used for the analog-to-digital conversion

The analog signal is sampled at periodic intervals and held over the sampling interval by a device called a
Zero-order sampled-and-hold (Z.o.h)
After sampling and holding, the analog-to-digital converter converts the sample to a digital number

4.12 chapter 4.
Work cycle programs:
The simplest automated process consists of one step, single process parameter at a defined level.
Example:
Maintain the temperature of a furnace at a designated value
Setting the temperature dial on the furnace.
More complicated systems, the process involves a work cycle consisting of multiple steps that are
repeated with no deviation from one cycle to the next.

123-

A typical sequence of steps :

Load the part into the production machine
Perform the process.
Unload the part.

Process parameters are inputs to the process, such as:

1- Temperature setting of a furnace.
2- Coordinate axis value in a positioning system.
3- Valve opened or closed in a fluid flow system.
4- Motor on or off.

Process variable, which are outputs from the process, for example:
1- The actual temperature of the furnace.
2- The actual position of the axis.
3- The actual flow rate of the fluid in the pipe.

The changes in process parameter values may be

1- Continuous (analog): gradual changes during the processing step. Example, gradually
increasing temperature during a heat treatment cycle.
2- Discrete (digital): stepwise changes. Example, on/off

Many production operations consist of multiple steps. Examples:

1- Sheet metal stamping operations.
2- Plastic injection molding.
3- Die costing.
These operations were controlled by hardware components such as:
1234-

Limit switches.
Timers.
Cams.
And electromechanical relays.

However, modern controllers used in automated systems are based on digital computerscontrolled.
FIGURE 4.3-93, 4.4-94
FIGURE 4.5-94
A (one-axis)positioning system illustrates the case of a closed loop positioning system. In
operation, the system is directed to move the worktable to a specified location as defined by
coordinate value in a Cartesian (or other) coordinate system. Most positioning systems have at
least two axes(e.g. an X-Y positioning table) with a control system for each axis. The "dc"
servomotor connected to a leadscrew is a common actuator for each axis.
A signal indicating the coordinate value (e.g, X-value) is sent from the controller to the motor
that drives the leadscrew, whose rotation is converted into linear motion of the positioning
table.
As the table moves closer to the desired X- coordinate value, the difference between the actual
X- position and the input X- value is reduced. The actual X- position is measured by a feed-back

sensor(e.g an optical encoder). The controller continues to drive the motor until the actual table
position corresponds to the input position value.