Design of a microcomputer-based microporous membrane process controller

Abstract

A microcomputer-based process controller has been developed to produce porous membrane material. The production process is based on stretching the material in a constant temperature solvent bath. This thesis describes the hardware and software designed to direct and monitor the process.

A VIC 20 is used as the process-controlling microcomputer. The system features two dedicated motor controllers and two channels for controlling temperature. The motor controllers determine the material feed rate and rate of stretch. The temperature controllers keep the system at a selectable constant temperature. An interactive assembly language program directs the entire process and monitors the controlled variables.

A complete description of the interface and temperature control circuitry is given. The software used to direct the process is also discussed and presented.