Understanding Control Technologies
AGENDA Instructors ADDITIONAL INFO ONLINE REGISTRATION
Control Fundamentals II: Engineering Practice and Optimisation
29 April - 1 May 2025, Glasgow
Overview
The “Control Fundamentals” course has been the most popular since it was developed and refined over two decades ago. It has been presented multiple times at companies around the world. The course was aimed at engineers that are using control techniques in their everyday work but may need updating or they may have only had an introduction to control engineering theory at university. This new course goes beyond the first course material and is stand-alone, so it is not essential to have attended the first course. The practical nature is maintained but slightly more advanced techniques are covered that have proven to be the most useful in applications. These include tuning, auto-tuning, predictive control, Kalman filtering and Optimal Control methods.
The course material is motivational to encourage the use of the techniques, rather than dwelling on the mathematical basis of results. The hands-on exercises in MATLAB/Simulink software will help engineers to understand the modelling and design techniques. There is an opportunity throughout the course to interrupt and ask questions and to raise questions at the end of each presentation. There will be time in coffee and lunch breaks to talk to the instructors about engineers’ problems, whether they are concerned with modelling, simulation, control, condition monitoring or problems with implementation. On the last day the wrap-up session can deal with further questions and any comments on the course content or delivery.
Instructors
Professor Michael Grimble
Professor Mike Grimble has a good understanding of the needs of industry having first worked for Ciba Geigy and then for Associated Electrical Industries which became GEC at Rugby. During his time on the Industrial Automation Group at Imperial College he worked on the modelling for control of cold rolling mills. He later set up industrial groups first at what is now Sheffield Hallam University and secondly at the University of Strathclyde where he still works as a Research Professor. His interests are on the design of high performance and robust control systems for applications across industrial sectors. His industrial background is valuable to provide motivation and insights on the industrial training courses.
Dr Pawel Majecki
Dr Pawel Majecki undertook his research studies in the Industrial Control Centre at Strathclyde University and later joined Industrial Systems and Control Ltd. ISC was established to encourage technology transfer and Pawel has worked for major international companies on the application of advanced control methods, often involving predictive or optimal controls. He has also been involved in control training courses run in the UK, Norway, Italy, Spain and USA. His extensive experience in the use of MATLAB/Simulink is valuable on the training courses hands-on where delegates often gain greater insight into these tools in addition to their value in explaining how the design methods are applied.
Delegates will find that both instructors are very happy to answer questions or discuss industrial problems they may have in coffee breaks, lunch breaks and at the end of the day.
Additional Information
Event Venue
Scottish Engineering, 105 W George St, Glasgow G2 1QL
Accommodation
Glasgow City Centre offers a wide range of accommodation, you can find our recommendations here.
Course Summary and Agenda (Download PDF)
Timings may change slightly.
Day 1: Basics of Control and System Modelling |
|
| 9.00 | Welcome |
| 9.10 | Motivation for Using Improved Control Design Methods (safe control, robustness, reliability, performance benefits obtained) |
| 10.15 | Physical Systems Modelling Methods (white and grey box modelling, state-space models, applications, simulation tools) |
| 11.00 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 11.15 | Hands-On Session: System Modelling using MATLAB/SIMULINK |
| 12.30 | LUNCH |
| 13.30 | Sensors and Actuators (wide ranging overview of the devices available) |
| 14.30 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 14.45 | Nonlinear Systems and Control (modelling and problems due to nonlinearities, linearization methods, hysteresis and compensation) |
| 15.45 | Hands-On Session: Frequency Response Analysis and Design Methods |
| 17.00 | CLOSE |
Day 2 - Identification Methods and Control Design |
|
| 09.00 | Identification of the Models for Linear Systems (popular model-based algorithms to calculate models of systems from data collected). |
| 10.15 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 10.30 | Autotuning Methods (automatic methods of controller tuning after obtaining test results using system identification methods including PID controllers). |
| 11.15 | Hands-On Session: System Identification |
| 12.00 | Practical Aspects of Model Identification (identification methods and use of methods when implementing controls). |
| 12.45 | LUNCH |
| 13.45 | Hands-On Session: Computing Models, Control Design and Autotuning |
| 14.45 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 15.00 | State-Space Based Modelling Methods for More Advanced Control Methods (further details of types of SS structure and models produced). |
| 16.00 | Introduction to Predictive Control Methods (most successful modern control design method – motivation and basic ideas). |
| 17.00 | CLOSE |
Day 3 - Optimal Control Design and Filtering/Estimation Methods |
|
| 09.00 | Introduction to Linear Quadratic Optimal Control Methods (basic ideas in optimal control and controller properties) |
| 10.00 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 10.15 | Hands-On Session: Linear System Optimal Control Design |
| 11.00 | Intuitive Introduction to Optimal Filtering (Kalman filtering and extended Kalman filtering methods for nonlinear applications) |
| 12.00 | LUNCH |
| 13.00 | Hands-On Session: Kalman Filtering Methods and Observers |
| 13.45 | Design Example on Dynamic Positioning (positioning system design, marine application example). |
| 14.45 | TEA/COFFEE |
| 15.00 | Model Based Condition Monitoring and Fault Detection Methods (overview of model based early detection and fault monitoring methods) |
| 16.00 | A Look to the Future Covering Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (artificial neural networks and optimization, genetic algorithms, data driven technologies available, using machine learning in control and estimation) |
| 17.00 | CLOSE |
Registration
Please complete the Online Registration Form.
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