PLC-CONTROLLED CONVEYOR SYSTEM II

Automation Controller in Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) plays a significant role to increase productivity and flexibility in an industry. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is an industrial computer, controlled by a program having input and output unit, memory, arithmetic logic unit and control unit, that is superior to past relay logic in terms of robustness and flexibility. The objective of this project is to operate FMS using a structured method of programming routine via PLC. The project is to provide appropriate programming routine for the integration of Automation Laboratory in Block 22, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS which is combination of 3 systems; vision system, conveyor system and robotic system. Currently, the laboratory is not in use and its function is limited only for demonstration purposes. This makes it difficult for Research & Development (R&D) work to be conducted. Scope of study for this project is more on the familiarization of the FMS using the software and hardware approach. The Automation Studio is used to create, design and simulate the conveyor systems. The sequence of the whole process need to be understood prior to work on the programming routine. For the hardware, the FMS system in the laboratory is divided into 3 sub-categories which are Omron Vision Sensor, Conveyor Systems and KUKA (Robotic Arm KR-15 System). Methodology used in this project is on study to get overview of FMS system, learning on the software Automation studio and training by the vendor on the PLC Siemens S7-200 before interfacing the designed programming routine to the PLC. Besides that, understanding the configuration of the hardware in the laboratories such as I/O of PLC, timer, sensor at the conveyor can help designing the programming routine. The objective of this project to develop new programming routine has been achieved. Besides that, planning to integrate with all the systems which are vision