More efficient, flexible and sustainable production with measurement and control technology
In the face of increased competition, dwindling resources and higher customer expectations, companies are increasingly faced with the challenge of making their processes more efficient, sustainable and therefore more future-proof. Successful process optimization requires intelligent technologies that allow machines, plants and other technical systems to be monitored, controlled, regulated and, ideally, maintained remotely.
If you are looking for easy-to-configure measurement and control technology products for your specific application, then Delphin Technology is the right partner for you. Get in touch with us for a customized solution!
What does measurement and control technology stand for?
On the one hand, it is a scientific and technical field that is taught at universities, colleges and technical colleges as part of automation technology. On the other hand, I&C also refers to devices and technologies that are used to measure, control and regulate a wide range of physical variables.
Measurement and control technology components are used wherever processes need to be automated and optimized - for example in industrial production, energy supply, water treatment or building automation.
Measurement technology
Measurement technology provides information about real measurement tasks, e.g. in processes and experiments. For this purpose, it deals with methods and devices for measuring physical quantities such as current or voltage, temperature, pressure, mass, length, pH value or time. The measured values continuously determined by sensors are usually converted into electrical signals and sent for further processing - primarily for evaluation and control or regulation.
Control technology
Control technology has the task of enforcing certain sequences in a controlled process or along a control path. A distinction is made between analogue and digital control systems, whereby in the age of digitalization and Industry 4.0, the latter predominate. Most control systems are sequential control systems in which relevant values of the control variables are fed back to the input of the control system by means of sensors.
Control engineering
Control technology is used to ensure control and stability in a controlled process or controlled system by reacting to the effects of disturbance variables and minimizing their influences. The control principle is characterized by a target/actual comparison of the reference variable with the controlled variable determined by the measurement technology.
Which components belong to measurement and control technology?
The most important measurement and control technology elements include
- Sensors for recording physical variables such as temperature, pressure, level, flow rate, current or voltage
- Measurement data acquisition systemswhich continuously record, monitor and analyze the measured values determined by the sensors (monitoring)
- Control units (e.g. PLC), which adjust parameters and control processes on the basis of the measured values recorded
- Actuators (e.g. valves, pumps, motors) that perform physical actions based on MSR commands
- Control deviceswhich permanently compare setpoint and actual values, make the necessary adjustments and thus close the control loop
- SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) for real-time monitoring and control of machines and systems
- Connection technology (e.g. cabling, bus systems, networks) that enable communication between different MCR components
The cooperation of these elements makes it possible to monitor and control processes efficiently and reliably, thereby ensuring optimum conditions on a permanent basis.
How does measurement and control technology help to optimize and simplify processes?
The targeted use of measurement, control and regulation technology results in the following advantages, depending on the requirements and operational conditions.
Increased efficiency
The automation of routine processes helps to avoid human error and increase productivity. In manufacturing companies, MSR technology makes it possible to increase production volumes while maintaining or reducing the number of employees. This frees up employees for other tasks.
Quality improvement
Precise measurements and controls help to continuously improve product quality. This applies in particular to tasks that humans cannot perform with sufficient consistency or at the required speed.
Cost reduction
The optimized control of machines, systems and processes often results in energy and resource savings. This reduces production costs per unit of volume produced.
Increasing security
On the one hand, continuous monitoring and the ability to react quickly to critical conditions in industrial plants help to minimize expensive machine and plant downtimes. On the other hand, people are relieved of monotonous work or heavy physical, mental and health-damaging strain.
Flexibility
MSR systems are easy to reprogram. This allows production processes to be quickly adapted to changing requirements. This means that even smaller production quantities can be realized economically.
All values at a glance - with an measurement and control technology solution from Delphin Technology
With our devices for monitoring, controlling and regulating machines and systems, you can continuously optimize and modernize your processes. This allows you to take an important step towards Industry 4.0.
When introducing an energy management system for ISO 50001 certification, the long-established mining company was looking for a solution for recording measurement data that would also work reliably in the complex infrastructure of the tunnels and at distances of several kilometers.
We installed data loggers at several locations and provided the existing infrastructure with various energy meters and power meters. We linked less distant measuring stations via the master-slave structure of the loggers. Longer distances were bridged via a network connection between the individual devices. We also embedded process data such as pressure, temperature and other parameters into the system. We implemented the monitoring, calculation and linking of the recorded measurement data via integrated calculation, limit value and logic channels. The data was forwarded via PROFIBUS both to the internal data memory of the devices and to the higher-level control technology.
In the meantime, the original energy monitoring system has become a combined process and energy management system that can be expanded at any time thanks to its modularity and scalability. Not only is all operating data recorded and monitored, but an intelligent, consumption-optimized compressor control system could also be implemented independently by the customer with the help of the Delphin systems.
Our know-how for your process optimization
Thanks to its small footprint and scalability, Delphin Technology'smeasurement and control technology is suitable for use in a wide variety of industrial environments and for a wide range of requirements. Our devices offer:
- Versatile interfaces for optimum connection of third-party hardware and software.
- Self-sufficient, fail-safe pre-processing and storage directly at the measuring point.
- Intuitive, platform-independent software solutions.
- Future-proofing through adaptation to technological developments.
Continuous process monitoring with technology from Delphin enables you to detect deviations at an early stage and avoid the resulting faults and malfunctions. At the same time, you benefit from potential improvements that are effective starting points for reducing the use of materials and energy.