E6.7.2.2
Mechatronic Compact System for PLC: High-bay warehouse with material testing
System
The MCS (Mechatronic Compact System) is comprised of three individual systems, each with a basic mechatronic function. Connecting the systems determines the interaction of mechanics, pneumatics, electronics, and SPC programming.
Educational objectives
- Isolating unsorted parts from the high-bay warehouse
- Collision-proof provision of parts on a tray
- Use of parts between assemblies
- Recognition of different materials (sensors)
- Mechanical construction of a pick and place converter
- Programming of a pick and place converter
- Mechanical construction of a rotary indexing table with test unit
- Mechanical construction of a testing station
- Programming a test procedure
- Programming of a sorting parts into high-bay warehouse
Design
The setup includes three models:
- High-bay warehouse: An electric linear axis with toothed belt drive and a pneumatic linear axis as well as a removal cylinder remove workpieces from a shelf and convey them to a transfer position. This can be to the right and left of the high-bay warehouse. The workpieces can be removed from these transfer positions and placed back into storage..
- Pick and Place, pneumatic : The assembly is used to sort workpieces into multiple output positions by means of a pneumatic extendable, lowerable rotary mechanism and a gripper..
- Rotary indexing table with testing unit and display: A testing unit arranged over the rotary indexing table recognises the workpieces as present, black, and metallic. The results can be shown on the display.
Method
The device is designed for student experiments. Practical exercises require that the learner resolve the controller or system problem with their own programming and using mechanical configurations. The basics of SPC programming and a understanding of production processes are required prior knowledge.
Trainees studying industrial electro technology and students of automation engineering are the target group being addressed. The course offers experiments with a scalable level for vocational school and for bachelor education, from simple storage processes to complex sorting algorithms, the complexity of the problem can be adapted to the level of knowledge and the teaching objective.
Topics
- Programs for process control
- Creation of sequential controls
- Differentiation of manual and automatic functions in programs.
- Plans for driving pneumatic valves.
- Collision-proof provision on a tray
- Micro switch for position recognition
- One-way photoelectric barrier
- Optical sensor
- Inductive sensor
- Positioning of the micro switch
- Electric drives
- Limit switch with micro switch
- Reversing contact control
