The Phoenix Alpha Control System is a digital control system designed to control servo hydraulic and screw-driven testing machines.
Using established PID closed-loop control principles the Alpha real-time control system guarantees a specified control loop rate of at least 20kHz, regardless of the number of actuators, channels in use or system configuration.
For systems with four actuators or fewer the loop rate may be increased to 40kHz, making the Phoenix Alpha Digital Control System the fastest control system available, and ensures the most accurate control and best data acquisition rate possible.
The Alpha Control System is ideal for a wide variety of control applications including high-speed single-shot tests. It includes a self-tuning facility for automatic adjustment of gain parameters for optimum control performance in all situations.
All operations and data presentation functions are controlled by a PC running Phoenix Virtual Control Panel software operating under Windows™.
The only connection necessary between the controller and host PC is a single gigabit ethernet link. The host PC may also be connected to the customer’s existing network for tasks such as result archiving or sharing. The PC to control system ethernet link is entirely separate to the customer’s network.
The Phoenix Alpha Digital Control System can be retrofitted to any make of hydraulic test machine complete with new frame wiring.
Phoenix can offer a suite of software to run on the PC to provide automation of popular testing applications in a familiar Windows™ environment.
The Phoenix software suite includes programmes to allow simple manual control or the ability to write unique and complex test programmes for R&D testing.
Customers who enquire about our Alpha Control Systems often ask us about our other upgrade options, including environmental chambers, refurbishment of actuators and test machines.