Instrumentation & Data Acquisition

August 7-8 , 2007 PLEASE NOTE RE-SCHEDULED DATE
University of Delaware (Newark Campus)

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Course Description

This unique educational opportunity was originally designed in consultation with representatives from several local companies who agree that this course provides extremely valuable information.

Who Should Attend

Instrumentation & Data Acquisition is designed for instrument engineers, application engineers and engineering-level technicians, as well as peers involved with process control.

An ideal training strategy is for plant employees from both the instrumentation and process control groups to attend this course, facilitating significant improvement in problem recognition and communication.

Benefits

This course enables you to:

• benefit from an expert who possesses outstanding background in instrumentation and process control; 
• identify the source of problems as process control or instrumentation issues; 
• improve communication between process control and instrumentation specialists; 
• develop an appreciation for the technology of instrumentation as it relates to process control;
• interact and share experiences with peers from other companies; 
• understand methods that can be put to use immediately. 

The Presenter

Mark D. Wetzel earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in 1978 and a master's degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1980, both degrees in electrical engineering. Since completing his degree work, he has been with the DuPont Company's engineering and research organizations. While with DuPont, Mr. Wetzel has developed instrumentation, data acquisition systems and controllers for many different processes, including fiber spinning, extrusion, image processing and medical applications. His research interests include system dynamics, process control, digital signal processing, polymer processing and extrusion.

Agenda

Tuesday August 7 , 8:00 a.m. - Registration;
Tuesday & Wednesday August 7&8, Class times: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Numerous examples will be used to illustrate the critical issues in instrumentation and data acquisition. Participants are also encouraged to bring their instrumentation concerns from their respective worksites, and, preferably to submit them in advance to Engineering Outreach, so that Mr. Wetzel can further tailor the course to meet specific needs.

Topics include:

1. Introduction to Sensing and Instrumentation for Process Control Application
2. Sensing and signal Conversion Basics
   1. Sensors and Signals (analog and digital)
   2. Signal Conditioning
   3. Signal Conversion
3. Standard Process Sensors
   1. Temperature (thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors)
   2. Pressure and Strain Gauges
   3. Flow
   4. Ph and Others
4. Complex and Nontraditional Measurements (examples)
   1. Composition
   2. Acceleration and Position (LVDT)
5. Micro-machined Devices (novel sensors)
6. Digital Inputs
1. Switches
2. Sensors (Optical, Hall Effect, etc.)
7. Signal Conditioning
   1. Excitation
   2. Transduction
   3. Amplifiers, Filters and Isolation
   4. Calibration
   5. Noise (ground loops; EMI and shielding; amplifier and A/D errors; aliasing; other noise sources)
   6. Transmitters (0-10 Vdc; 4-20mA; frequency; optical isolators/fiber optics)
   7. Smart Sensors & Transmitters (RS-232, RS-485, point-to-point and multi-drop); Fieldbus and other standards)
8. Actuators
   1. Controller Outputs: digital to analog converstion (voltage outputs; current outputs; relays)
   2. Digital Outputs
   3. Transmitters for Outputs
9. Designing and Implementing Data Acquisition and Control Systems
   1. Data Acquisition System Examples
   2. Control System Examples

Registration and General Information

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED due to the highly interactive, hands-on nature of this course, and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

Program Fee: $645 includes notebook of hand-out materials, registration with continental breakfast, all breaks, and parking in UD lot. (Lunch is not provided, but Newark offers many options.)

Registration Deadline: July 24, 2007

Cancellations and Substitutions: Refunds will be granted if the request is received in writing by July 24, 2007. Although no refunds can be granted after that date, substitutions are permitted at any time.

Registration Confirmation: A letter of confirmation will be mailed on or before July 24, and will include directions to campus and a parking permit.

Accommodations & Transportation: Participants are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. Air transportation should be arranged to either Philadelphia or Baltimore airport. Call early and ask if the University of Delaware affiliated rates are available for the dates you are requesting from the following hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott - UD Campus Hotel - 400 Pencader Way, Newark, DE, 1-302-737-0900 ($144+tax/night)
The following are each about one mile from campus:
Sleep Inn - 630 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-453-1700 ($79+tax/night)
Howard Johnson Inn - 1119 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-368-8521 ($62+tax/night)