PIDLab 4+

Tune process loops with ease. Calculates tuning parameters for PID controllers using the IMC tuning method and simulates the results.

TuneSimulation allows you to test and simulate tuning for various types of loops. It uses the IMC (Internal Model Control) method to calculate PID tuning parameters. I’ve tried a lot of tuning methods over the years and have found this one to be the best.

The program calculates:

PID Parameters:
Controller Gain (Kc)
Integral Time (Ti)
Derivative Time (Td)

For process types
First Order with Dead Time (FO)
Second Order with Dead Time (SO)
Integrating or Long Time Constant with Dead Time (I)

For controller types
Parallel (non-interacting)
c(s) = Kc (1 + 1/(Ti s) + Td s)

Series (interacting)
c(s) = Kc (Ti s + 1)/(Ti s)(Td s + 1)

For controller modes
PID
PI

Tuning aggression is adjusted using the slider to set the closed loop time constant to the process time constant ratio (λ/Ƭ).

The closed loop time constant (λ) is the time the controller is expected to reach set point (plus the dead time (ϴ)). Setting the closed loop time constant to process time constant ratio (λ/Ƭ) to 1.0 will make the MV change to its final value and allow the process to settle out to the setpoint. Setting (λ/Ƭ) greater than 1.0 will give a slower responce. Setting (λ/Ƭ) less than 1.0 will cause the MV to make a larger change and then reduce to its final value. Tight tuning would be to set the close loop time constant to the dead time.

Use the Integrating Process type (Ƭ = ∞) for both integrating processes or processes with long time constants. These processes use the maximum slope as the process gain. Tuning aggression for these processes is determined by setting the closed loop time constant to the dead time ratio (λ/ϴ). Once again, setting the closed loop time constant to the dead time gives tight control.