The RT 040 device offers basic experiments on a temperature controlled system. A metal rod is used as the controlled system. The temperature of the metal rod represents the controlled variable. The temperature is measured at three different positions using thermistors (PTC). One measured value is fed to the software controller at a time. The other two values are recorded. This makes it possible to replicate different controlled system responses. The output signal from the controller is used to control the Peltier element actuator. The Peltier element has a hot and a cold side. This allows either heating or cooling power to be supplied to the metal rod. The software can be used to control a fan that dissipates heat energy in order to study the effects of disturbance variables. The control response is displayed in the form of a time dependency. There is a dial-gauge thermometer located on the metal rod, allowing the temperature to be read directly at any time.
The powerful GUNT software for the entire device series – in the form of Hardware/Software Integration (HSI) – is a major component for the entire series. The experimental unit and the PC are connected via a USB interface (external PC required).
The impact that modifications to the system behaviour have can be studied quickly and easily with the help of the software. An integrated programmer allows you to set reference values and time intervals to carry out reference value progressions. Further aspects of control engineering are studied using software simulations for controlled systems up to the 2nd order.
The combination of the clear, real-world controlled system and simulations of other controlled systems in the RT 010 – RT 060 device series aids understanding. Preparations for the experiments, as well as software simulations can be carried out in Remote Learning environments. The experiments can be observed at any number of workstations on the local network.
