Measuring, controlling, rules: These three pillars are at the heart of automation technology.
They are not only the playing field for engineers and scientists, but also the invisible magic behind many devices and processes that we use every day. While the metrology The eyes and ears of the system are control If there are firm instructions, it is Regulation the intelligent instance that constantly corrects and optimizes. It is precisely this feedback that makes the difference and ensures stability, even when unexpected disturbances come into play.
Think of MSR as a team that works together perfectly to achieve a goal.
- trade fairs: That's the team's scout. He has sensors everywhere and records what's going on. Without this data, there would be no feedback and no control.
- taxes: This is the commander. Based on the collected data and a fixed procedure, it gives clear instructions. The controller only says ‘do!’ without checking whether the result is a good fit.
- rules: That's the perfectionist in the team. He closes the circle. This is exactly the decisive difference from pure control: The regulation has a memory and learns from the measurements!
MSR in everyday life: More than just factory halls
Of course, MSR is indispensable in industrial production. It secures them quality of products, optimized processes for more efficiencies and provides for security in dangerous processes.
But the areas of application go far beyond that!
- Intelligent heating systems: As mentioned above, they are the prime example of a regulation. Sensors measure the temperature, the control compares it with your desired value and controls the valve. So you save energy and always have it pleasantly warm.
- Air conditioning in the car: Your car climate does exactly the same thing. It measures the internal temperature and automatically adjusts the cooling capacity so that you have the perfect feel-good temperature every time you ride.
- Driving assistance systems: A cruise control in the car? This is pure control technology! The system measures the current speed (actual value) and adjusts the accelerator pedal (actuator) to maintain the set speed (target value). The system even brakes if you want to keep a certain distance from a front man.
- Modern lighting: Smart lighting in buildings automatically regulates the brightness depending on the incidence of daylight. This not only saves electricity, but also ensures pleasant lighting conditions.
You see, MSR systems are everywhere, making things just work in the background. They are the invisible digital helpers that make our lives more comfortable, safer and more efficient. So, the next time you set the heater or your car alone keeps the speed, you know what technology is behind it!
The three pillars in detail: There are many more examples!
1. Trade fairs: The data collector
Without trade fairs, there is no information. Sensors are the spies that collect data about physical quantities such as Temperature, pressure, level, pH or flow capture. This information is converted into usable electrical signals.
- Example from food production: Imagine a brewery. Sensors continuously measure the temperature in the fermentation tanks. At the same time, the pH The wort is monitored. This data is crucial to ensure the quality and taste of the beer. Without these measurements, no one would know whether the process is going as desired.
- Example from environmental technology: In wastewater treatment plants, sensors measure the Oxygen content In the water and the Level in the cleaning basins. This data is essential to optimally control and regulate the cleaning processes.
2. Taxation: The fixed plan
The control technology is like a robot that strictly established procedure often without checking that the result is correct. It gives commands based on predefined rules. There are two main types:
- Link control (open control loop): Here the outputs are generated purely logically based on the inputs. There is no feedback.
- Example: A traffic light system with time control: A simple traffic light switches from red to yellow to green and back again, based on a set schedule. It does not take into account whether cars are waiting or how much traffic reigns. She just does what's in the program.
- Example: A washing machine: You choose a program and the machine executes it step by step: Let in water, heat, wash, rinse, hurl. She doesn't have sensors to check how dirty the laundry really is.
- Flow control (closed control loop): These controls are more complex and include feedback.
- Example: An automatic garage door: You press the button (input signal). The engine drives up the gate. A sensor at the end of the track detects that the gate is fully open and sends a signal back to the controller, which then turns off the motor. This feedback is crucial for the correct process.
3. Rules: The intelligent problem solver
The Control technology is the ‘mastermind’ behind MSR. It closes one Control loop, by constantly Actual values with Target values compares and adjusts actions to compensate for deviations. This allows it to compensate for disturbances such as wind, temperature fluctuations or changing loads.
- Example: Temperature control in an oven: You set the oven to 200 °C (target value). A thermometer (sensor) measures the current temperature (actual value). If it falls below 200 °C, the controller switches on the heating coil. If it rises above 200 °C, it turns it off. So the temperature is kept constant, no matter if you open the door briefly or if the dough was still cold.
- Example: Cruise control in the car: You set your cruise control to 120 km/h (target value). The speedometer measures the current speed (actual value). When it goes uphill and the car slows down (disturbance size), the regulator increases the gas supply to keep the speed. If it goes downhill, the gas supply is throttled. The car automatically adjusts to reach and maintain the desired value.
- Example: An aircraft autopilot: The system constantly measures the altitude (actual value) and compares it with the predetermined altitude (target value). Wind gusts (interference variables) can change the altitude of the flight. The controller controls the wings to keep the altitude constant and get the aircraft safely on track.
Why MSR is so important
MSR is the basis for automation. It increases the efficiencies (less waste, optimized energy consumption), ensures the quality (each process step is exactly reproducible) and ensures security (by monitoring and correcting dangerous processes). Without MSR, many modern technologies and industries would be unthinkable. Whether in the chemical industry, in medical technology or in the control of smart homes, MSR makes it possible.
MSR: A universal key for efficiency and security
Measuring, controlling, rules is much more than a theoretical concept. It is the backbone of modern automation This is a crucial factor for the efficiencies, quality and security in numerous industries. While the metrology Provides the necessary data, ensures the control for the execution of fixed processes and the Regulation for dynamic adaptation to changing conditions. This combination is the reason why MSR is indispensable in so many areas.
Industry and production: The heart of MSR application
Here, in the industrial environment, MSR technology shows its full strength. It automates complex processes, minimises human errors and ensures that products meet the highest standards.
- Chemical industry: In a chemical plant, precision and safety are paramount.
- Trade fairs: Sensors continuously monitor the temperature and the pressure in reaction vessels, and the pH The mixtures.
- Taxation: A control can cause the discharge of chemicals in a fixed ratio and at certain times.
- Rules: The control technology ensures that the reaction temperature remains constant despite exothermic reactions by automatically adjusting cooling water valves.
- Food industry: This is about hygiene and consistent quality.
- Trade fairs: In a dairy, sensors measure the Pasteurization temperature and the Level in the tanks.
- Taxation: The controller can clean the machines by allowing water and detergents to circulate in a fixed time interval.
- Rules: A control loop ensures that the temperature remains constant in an oven during the baking process to achieve a uniform result.
- Energy production: In power plants, MSR guarantees a safe and stable energy supply.
- Trade fairs: Sensors measure this pressure and the temperature the steam in a boiler, as well as the flow of fuel.
- Taxation: The controller opens or closes valves to direct the steam flow to the turbines.
- Rules: A regulator keeps the pressure in the steam boiler constant by adjusting the fuel supply, thus optimizing the efficiency of the power plant.
- Automotive industry: MSR is the heart of modern production lines.
- Trade fairs: Camera systems measure the position and quality of weld seams, and torque sensors detect the firmness the screwed parts.
- Taxation: A control system activates welding robots in a fixed sequence to assemble the body.
- Rules: Control loops in the painting line ensure that the coating thickness is uniform and that the drying temperature is exactly maintained.
Building technology: Comfort and energy efficiency
Smart buildings use MSR technology to increase well-being while conserving resources.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC):
- Trade fairs: Temperature sensors in the room measure the Actual temperature.
- Taxation: A simple control can turn on the heater according to a fixed schedule, for example, every morning at 6 o'clock.
- Rules: One Smart control compares the measured room temperature with the target temperature and continuously adjusts the performance of the heating or air conditioning system to create an optimal indoor climate.
- Building automation:
- Trade fairs: Sensors measure the presence people in a room and the brightness of daylight.
- Taxation: When a presence sensor detects a person, the controller turns on the light and raises the blinds.
- Rules: A higher-level control continuously adjusts the illuminance to ensure constant brightness. In strong sunlight, the blinds are automatically shut down to avoid overheating.
Environmental technology: Sustainability through technology
MSR helps to protect our environment and manage resources sustainably.
- Environmental data collection:
- Trade fairs: Special sensors measure the concentration pollutants such as nitrogen oxides in the air or the Oxygen content in the water of rivers.
- Taxation: A warning signal is automatically triggered at a certain threshold.
- Rules: In wastewater treatment plants, a system regulates the supply of oxygen to the sludge tanks in order to optimally maintain biological purification, based on the measured values.
- Plant control:
- Trade fairs: Sensors in a waste incineration plant measure the temperature and the pressure in the incinerator.
- Taxation: The controller can release the input of waste into the furnace at predetermined intervals.
- Rules: A control loop keeps the temperature in the furnace constant to ensure complete and low-pollution combustion.
Other areas of application: MSR everywhere
The MSR technique is so versatile that it also plays a role in seemingly distant areas.
- Health care: In medical technology, MSR ensures precision and safety.
- Trade fairs: A blood glucose meter (sensor) records the current Glucose value.
- Taxation: An insulin pump system (control) can deliver a fixed amount of insulin.
- Rules: An ‘artificial pancreas’ (regulation) compares the measured blood sugar with a setpoint and automatically adjusts insulin delivery to keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Logistics and trade:
- Trade fairs: Barcode scanners in a warehouse measure the number The article on a palette.
- Taxation: The control of a conveyor belt guides the packages to different sorting systems based on the barcode.
- Rules: In an automated high-bay warehouse, a system controls the position of the gripper arm in order to store or remove products precisely and efficiently.
As you can see, MSR is a fascinating and ubiquitous technique that makes our lives safer, more efficient and more comfortable, often without us even noticing it.