
Operating Manual CMGZ434 
 
 
7 
5Controller theory 
5.1 Tension control loops 
When manufacturing and processing foils, wires, ropes, paper and fabric sheets, it is 
important that the product is under constant tension when guided across the rollers. 
Tension may change when humidity, temperature, winding or unwinding diameters vary 
or when the sheets are being printed, coated, glued or pressed. Tension is measured 
constantly and maintained at the correct value with the FMS force measuring and control 
system. 
5.2 PID controller 
The function of any control loop is to 
maintain the feedback value exactly at the 
level of the reference and to minimize the 
influence of any interference on the control 
loop. In addition, the control loop must be 
stable under all operating conditions. 
These aims can only be achieved if the 
dynamic behaviour of the control loop is 
adapted to the machine. 
The PID controller used in the CMGZ434 
calculates an output signal that corresponds 
to the addition of „P“, „I“ and „D“ 
component. The „D“ component can be 
skipped alternatively. Due to the digital design, the controller has an exactly reproducible 
behaviour, because every parameter is known as an exact number which doesn’t drift away. 
Due to that, it has high long-time and temperature stability. This feature also allows to 
exchange an electronic unit without readjusting. 
 
„P“ component 
A controller with only a proportional component emits an output signal that is 
proportional to the error.If the error is zero, the output signal also will be zero. A small 
error only can create a small output signal which is not high enough to compensate the 
complete error. That means, that a controller with only a proportional component will have a 
steady error. The characteristic value of a „P“ controller is the proportional factor Xp. 
 
„I“ component 
A controller with an integral component adds the error to the output signal continuously 
and emits this output signal. Due to that, the output signal will be enlarged or reduced 
until the error is zero. This output signal is maintained until a new error occurs. The 
integral component therefore allows zero error in steady state. The characteristic value of 
an „I“ controller is the settling time Tn. 
 
„D“ component 
A controller with a differential component has an output signal proportional to the 
changing speed of the error. If the error changes in a step, the output will show the 
characteristic peak impulse. Therefore, a „D“ controller reacts even if only a small 
controller error occurs. The characteristic value of a „D“ controller is the derivative 
action time TV. 
 
fig 3: Step response of a PID controller 
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