Process Controller Software
Background Information
What is Process Controller?
Process control software allows the user to automate data collection and to control many parts of the experimental apparatus.
Process control software allows AguaClara research teams to focus on experimental design and data analysis. Process control software can control the speed of peristaltic pumps, regulate flow through solenoid valves, and measure water quality parameters such as temperature, pressure, and dissolved oxygen.
Automated data acquisition is a powerful tool. The resulting data can be analyzed with Excel, MathCAD, or other data analysis software.
More detailed information can be found in a paper published by Monroe Weber-Shirk "An Automated Method for Testing Process Parameters."
Where to find Process Controller?
Prior to 2013 Process Controller was located in the Runtimes folder on the computer's desktop. The 2013 release of Process Controller is available from the program menu under ProCoDA (Process Control and Data Acquisition).
Troubleshooting in Process Controller
General troubleshooting includes help on troubleshooting data logging failures, communication with stamp box failures. The link is here.
More specific troubleshooting for help on method files can be found here.
Integrating cameras and Process Controller
The 2013 release of ProCoDA software includes image processing capabilities as an available external function that can be used by Process Controller and a new Camera Configure program that is used to set up a camera and the image analysis for use by Process Controller.
Tutorials
Before you use Process Controller for your next experiment, learn the program through various tutorials and exercises. Some of these exercises will be utilized in conjunction with a sample system that meters chemical into a tank and drains. The set-up of the sample experimental apparatus is found in the Tutorial for Basics of Laboratory Research and Experimental Design.
- Tutorial 1 - Basics of Process Controller
- Tutorial 2 - Edit Rules
- Tutorial 3 - Organizing Rules and States
- Final Exercise
Hardware Details
- Circuitry in the Control Box
Software Details
Process Control and Data Acquisition (ProCoDA II) software for the stand alone ProCoDA control boxes.