Autoclave control system
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 11:53 pm
Hey all,
Trying to get some input on how to go about this project. It might be more programming oriented but theres plenty of hardware that needs to all get put together.
At work we have a gigantic 10x20' autoclave that we have a heater controller but with manual pressure control via ball valves. We have a smaller 5x10' autoclave that have full heater and pressure control. I want to basically replicate the controller on the small autoclave using a raspberry pi.
I'm thinking about getting a Pi 3 (I have an original Pi B+ too) for the built in wifi so this can be controlled remotely and also send out email alerts. Also thinking about using this ADC board https://www.abelectronics.co.uk/p/56/AD ... -converter.
So basically the Pi would need to poll temperature and ramp it up according to the profile and hold the temp for the step duration. Simultaneously it would need to poll pressure and fill/hold/dump according to the profile as well. I think these two backend functions would be pretty easy to accomplish since they are simply polling functions.
Now the harder part for me is to design a front end system. I would like to run apache on the Pi and make the front end web-based so we could access the controller when we are away or know when to run back to the shop when doing runs after hours. The ADC board comes with python and C libraries and trying to decide which will be easier. I have a CS degree and learned C++ but never python (either way, my C is very rusty). Would python do the trick and be able to make a web based front end while doing the backend perfectly?
Some later functions:
Ability to detect vacuum leaks and shut off leaking line
Email/SMS alerts of warnings, cycle completion etc.
Logging
Manual controls.
Some basics:
ADC inputs:
Temperature (room temp to 300F)
Pressure (atmosphere to 60psi)
Main Vacuum
Vacuum lines 1-5
Output switches
Heater on/off
fan on/off
Pressure fill
Pressure dump
Vacuum lines 1-5 on/off
Trying to get some input on how to go about this project. It might be more programming oriented but theres plenty of hardware that needs to all get put together.
At work we have a gigantic 10x20' autoclave that we have a heater controller but with manual pressure control via ball valves. We have a smaller 5x10' autoclave that have full heater and pressure control. I want to basically replicate the controller on the small autoclave using a raspberry pi.
I'm thinking about getting a Pi 3 (I have an original Pi B+ too) for the built in wifi so this can be controlled remotely and also send out email alerts. Also thinking about using this ADC board https://www.abelectronics.co.uk/p/56/AD ... -converter.
So basically the Pi would need to poll temperature and ramp it up according to the profile and hold the temp for the step duration. Simultaneously it would need to poll pressure and fill/hold/dump according to the profile as well. I think these two backend functions would be pretty easy to accomplish since they are simply polling functions.
Now the harder part for me is to design a front end system. I would like to run apache on the Pi and make the front end web-based so we could access the controller when we are away or know when to run back to the shop when doing runs after hours. The ADC board comes with python and C libraries and trying to decide which will be easier. I have a CS degree and learned C++ but never python (either way, my C is very rusty). Would python do the trick and be able to make a web based front end while doing the backend perfectly?
Some later functions:
Ability to detect vacuum leaks and shut off leaking line
Email/SMS alerts of warnings, cycle completion etc.
Logging
Manual controls.
Some basics:
ADC inputs:
Temperature (room temp to 300F)
Pressure (atmosphere to 60psi)
Main Vacuum
Vacuum lines 1-5
Output switches
Heater on/off
fan on/off
Pressure fill
Pressure dump
Vacuum lines 1-5 on/off