摘要:
A method for controlling the properties of a sheet of material to be manufactured on a sheet making machine using a network of intelligent actuators distributed across and down the length of the paper machine. The method includes the steps of measuring and acquiring properties data about the sheet of material and communicating the measured properties data as the data becomes available to the actuators that control the properties of the sheet of material. A control action for each actuator is calculated and implemented using a control model of each actuator's influence on the properties of the sheet so as to minimize the variation of the measured properties data from a desired target. The control action made at an actuator and the predicted changes in the measured properties based on the control model are also communicated to all the actuators. The control actions of all actuators are co-ordinated such that the actuators co-operate to minimize the variation of the measured properties data sheet from desired targets.