# PIDTune — Process Control Loop Tuning

> Calculates PID tuning parameters using the IMC method for process control. (iPhone/iPad app by Richard H Street.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pidtune/id1045174726 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Richard H Street](https://appshunter.io/developer/954888336)
- Category: Utilities, Reference
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 1 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pidtune/id1045174726/reviews.md

## What is PIDTune?

PID Tuner uses the IMC (Internal Model Control) method to calculate PID tuning parameters.  I’ve tried a lot of tuning methods over the years and have found this one to be the best.  The app is written for the iPad to show all the information on one page. 

The program calculates:

PID Parameters:
    Controller Gain (Kc)
    Integral Time (Ti)
    Derivative Time (Td)

For process types
    First Order with Dead Time (FO)
    Second Order with Dead Time (SO)
    Integrating or Long Time Constant with Dead Time (I)

For controller types
    Parallel (non-interacting)
        c(s) = Kc (1 + 1/(Ti s) + Td s)
    Series (interacting)
        c(s) = Kc (Ti s + 1)/(Ti s)(Td s + 1)

For controller modes
    PID
    PI

You can either enter the process gain (Kp) directly or enter the changes in the controlled virable (CV) and manipulated variable (MV).

Tuning aggression is adjusted using the slider to set the closed loop time constant to the process time constant ratio (λ/Ƭ).

The closed loop time constant (λ) is the time the controller is expected to reach set point (plus the dead time (ϴ)).  Setting the closed loop time constant to process time constant ratio (λ/Ƭ) to 1.0 will make the MV change to its final value and allow the process to settle out to the setpoint.  Setting (λ/Ƭ) greater than 1.0 will give a slower responce.  Setting (λ/Ƭ) less than 1.0  will cause the MV to make a larger change and then reduce to its final value.  Tight tuning would be to set the close loop time constant to the dead time.

Use the Integrating Process type (Ƭ = ∞) for both integrating processes or processes with long time constants.  These processes use the maximum slope as the process gain.  Tuning aggression for these processes is determined by setting the closed loop time constant to the dead time ratio (λ/ϴ).  Once again, setting the closed loop time constat to the dead time gives tight control.

References:

    “Probably the test simple PID tuning rules in the World,” Sigurd Skogestad, Jounal of Process Control, July 3, 2001

    “Consider the generalized IMC-PID method for PID controller tuning of time-delay processes,” Y. Lee, S. Park, M. Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing, January 2006

## Key features

- IMC method for PID tuning
- Calculates Kc, Ti, Td
- Supports FO, SO, and I process types
- Handles Parallel and Series controller types
- Adjustable tuning aggression slider
- Input process gain or variable changes

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pidtune/id1045174726/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Simple and usefull

*2018-10-23*

App layout is great and simple to use!

## Frequently asked questions about PIDTune

### What is PIDTune used for?

PIDTune calculates PID tuning parameters like Controller Gain (Kc), Integral Time (Ti), and Derivative Time (Td) using the IMC method. It's designed for tuning PID controllers in industrial processes.

### What types of processes does PIDTune support?

PIDTune supports First Order with Dead Time (FO), Second Order with Dead Time (SO), and Integrating or Long Time Constant with Dead Time (I) process types.

### How does PIDTune adjust tuning aggression?

Tuning aggression is adjusted using a slider to set the ratio between the closed loop time constant (λ) and the process time constant (Ƭ), or the dead time (ϴ) for integrating processes.

### What controller types and modes are supported by PIDTune?

PIDTune supports both Parallel (non-interacting) and Series (interacting) controller types, and can be used for PID and PI controller modes.

### What devices is PIDTune available on?

PIDTune is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, indicated by its compatibility with iOS.

### How much does PIDTune cost?

PIDTune is a paid application, priced at $4.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions mentioned.

### When was PIDTune last updated?

PIDTune was last updated on September 25, 2024, indicating ongoing support and potential improvements.

### Does PIDTune have ads?

No, PIDTune does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application that offers an ad-free experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6 — 2024-09-25

Fixed a plot scaling problem in the iPad simulator

### 3.5 — 2024-01-16

Fixed a plot scaling problem in the simulator

### 3.4 — 2023-09-28

Minor bug fixes and performance enhancements.

### 3.3 — 2022-06-30

Fixed a bug in integrating processes.

### 3.2 — 2022-02-02

Added checks for min dead time for tuning equations and minimum lambda / tau.

## Apps similar to PIDTune

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Megatuner Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/megatuner-plus/id1665781784) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Pressure Vessel Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pressure-vessel-pro/id535696875) | 4.5 (2) | $5.99 | Utilities |
| [PID Controller Simulation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pid-controller-simulation/id6612009107) | 3.0 (2) | $3.99 | Utilities |
| [PIDTuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pidtuner/id6742595880) | — | $0.99 | Utilities |
| [Megatuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/megatuner/id6444596637) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Orifice Flow](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orifice-flow/id479581349) | 4.0 (1) | $3.99 | Utilities |

## More apps by Richard H Street

- [PetroFrac](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petrofrac/id954888337)
- [SourDoughWaterTemperature](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sourdoughwatertemperature/id6745718336)

All apps by Richard H Street: https://appshunter.io/developer/954888336

## Related topics

[standard process purification](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/standard-process-purification) · [statistical process control](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/statistical-process-control) · [process control](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/process-control)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*