01Initial Situation
The Chinese-made incubator used for sterilisation at ELİSAMED had inadequate temperature accuracy and heating performance. Its heating and temperature control architecture needed attention for it to fulfil its intended role.
The aim was to make temperature control and heating more stable while retaining the existing machine body. The retrofit therefore focused on control components and heaters rather than replacing the device.
02Applied Solution
The old temperature controller, SSR and other control components were replaced. The PID temperature controller adjusts heating according to the difference between measured temperature and setpoint; the SSR switches the heaters in response to its commands.
- Renewal of the temperature controller, SSR and other control components
- Custom resistance heater design and manufacture to existing dimensions
- Commissioning control components and heaters together
- Maintaining the set temperature for the configured duration using PID control
As no standard resistance heater fitted the machine, custom heaters were designed and manufactured to its existing dimensions. These were installed to renew the heating system; temperature measurement and heater control were handled by the renewed automation components.
03Technical Assessment
PID control enables the incubator both to reach the target temperature and maintain it for the specified time. The controller evaluates the difference between the measurement and setpoint to regulate heating output. The SSR switches the heaters according to this output to implement temperature control.
Custom heater manufacture was a defining step. Since standard heaters did not fit, heaters had to be designed to the existing dimensions. Commissioning the control components together with these custom heaters improved temperature accuracy and heating performance approximately threefold.
04Commissioning
Design, component replacement, custom heater manufacture and retrofit were completed within one week. The renewed heating and control architecture was commissioned together to reach the target temperature more accurately and quickly. PID temperature control and time settings maintained the specified temperature for the configured duration.
The incubator was restored to operation and delivered to ELİSAMED. The video shows the renewed temperature controller's display and settings menu.
Display of the renewed temperature controller and use of its settings menu.
05Project Outcomes
“After the retrofit, the incubator reaches its target temperature faster and holds it much more steadily. Custom heater manufacture gave us the performance we expected from the existing device.”
Daryuş · Company Representative
