TestWare-SX Temperature Control

The temperature control process is an external control type process. Use it to set the temperature in an environmental chamber or a furnace.

Prerequisite

This process is designed to be used with an MTS Model 409.80 or 409.82 Temperature Controller with the RS232 interface option. A comm port must be specified with the hardware configuration mode of the TestStar software installation program.

To use the monitor tolerance you must have an input channel configured as an external input and an external conditioner that processes a temperature sensor into a linearized analog voltage

How it works

The temperature control process communicates with an MTS Series 409 Temperature Controller via RS232 commands. Two-way communication is accomplished through one of the comm ports of the workstation computer and connector J2 of the temperature controller.

The process communicates a temperature set point to the temperature controller. The temperature controller maintains the temperature control loop.

A temperature control process establishes a set point level and a dwell time. The set point must be maintained within a tolerance range for the specified dwell time before the process can end. You can create additional processes to change the set point level.

The process outputs a temperature command to the temperature controller. The temperature controller returns the current temperature (from a thermocouple) to the process for use as the control tolerance.

The monitor tolerance uses a second thermocouple with an external conditioner. The monitor feedback uses an input channel configured for an external input.

Both tolerances can be applied to the set point level at the same time. Each tolerance may be measuring different locations and may use different ranges since the temperature gradient for each thermocouple may be different.

More Information

The Temperature Control Designwindow names the process and sequences it in a test template. You also access the Channel Setup window from the design window.

The Temperature Control Parameterswindow specifies the output level.


Temperature Control Design Window

This window specifies when the process starts and stops. The information in this window is saved with the test template.

Label

Names the process. Type the name you want to call the process in the entry field.

Start Trigger

Specifies the beginning of the process. Press the list icon and select a trigger.

End Trigger

Specifies the end of the process. Press the list icon and select a trigger.

Monitor Channel

Selects an input channel that is configured as an external channel. Pressing the list icon shows the input channel selections.

More Information

You can find detailed information about this process in Chapter 6 of the 790.10 TestWare-SX Application Manual.

Go to How it worksfor an overview of the process.

After you complete this window, you can double-click the name of this process in the Edit Templatewindow to display the Temperature Control Parameters window. This allows you to assign parameters to the default procedure.


Temperature Control Parameters Window

You must establish the command process with the Temperature Control Designwindow before you can access the parameter window. The information in this window is saved with the test procedure.

Set Point

Specifies the temperature level to be maintained by the tolerance selection. Default is 20°C.

Ramp Rate

Defines a ramp from the current temperature to the set point. You must use the program called COMTEST before the ramp feature can be used. See the software installation chapter in the Installation manual for more information.

Dwell Period

Specifies how long the temperature is maintained within a temperature tolerance range before the process ends.

Control Tolerance

Specifies a temperature tolerance range. The input to the control tolerance is from the thermocouple used by the temperature controller.

Monitor Tolerance

Specifies a temperature tolerance range. The input to the monitor tolerance is from a device independent of the temperature controller.

Process Completion

Specifies if the temperature controller maintains temperature control (control on )or not (control off )when the process is complete.

If the Process Completion is set to Control On, then the set point is maintained after the process is complete. Create a second process to change the set point to room temperature or set the Process Completion is set to Control Off.

More Information

You can find detailed information about this process in Chapter 6 of the 790.10 TestWare-SX Application Manual.

Go to How it worksfor an overview of the process.