EMC 311 MechatronicMechatronic Project

Objective: To develop a material handling system by integrating various sensor and actuationsystems using Programmable Logic Controller or Raspberry Pi micro-controller.

Each group is required to develop a material handling system based on equipment as shownin Figure 1, 2 and 3. Each group is given with:

1. A conveyor to transport a container that is filled with balls (see Figure 2). The conveyoris actuated by an AC induction electric motor (see Figure 4). The motor is connected toright relay for switching ON/OFF and to left relay for changing rotation direction (seeFigure 5 and 6). The wiring diagram is shown in Figure 7 where the solenoids of therelays can be connected to output port of the controller using 24 VDC.

2. Two feeders with eight balls (see Figure 8) actuated with three double actingpneumatic cylinders (see Figure 10) and a three single acting pneumatic cylinder (seeFigure 11) which are connected with pneumatic 5/2 (see Figure 16) and 3/2 directionalcontrol valves respectively actuated with solenoid and spring return (see Figure 12 and13).

3. Two proximity sensors (see Figure 14) to detect a metal plate on the container.4. Two switches (see Figure 15) for operator interface.5. A programmable logic controller (PLC) (see Figure 9) or Raspberry Pi micro-controller

with an interface circuit (see Figure 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22).

Each group is encouraged to come to the laboratory in your free time to identify and learn thecomponents that are available in the given equipment. Snap the picture of the componentsand get the component part number. Use internet to search the information of the componentor refer it to any of the lecture note.Each group is required to design and fabricate the container to store 8 balls while traveling onthe conveyor by using recycled boxes. Add few small aluminum plates on the container sothat the container can be detected by the proximity sensors. The design of the container mustbe unique and different for each group.Based on the hardware given and the designed container, determine an operation of amaterial handling system that can be performed using the available hardware.Decompose the operation into several sequences.Program the PLC using ladder diagram or the Raspberry Pi micro-controller using python to follow the sequences.

There are five input devices and six output devices all together which end up with 24connection terminals as shown in the table of device connection terminals. Refer to this tablefor wiring the external devices to PLC or Raspberry Pi micro-controller. Warning: Wronglyconnecting the polarity of the Proximity Sensor will destroy the sensor! Please disconnect thewiring each time your group finish using the equipment so that other group will learn to do thewiring themselves.

Device Connection Terminals

Input Output

1 Red Switch Negative 13 Top Left Valve Solenoid Negative

2 Red Switch Positive 14 Top Left Valve Solenoid Positive

3 Black Switch Negative 15 Bottom Left Valve Solenoid Negative

4 Black Switch Positive 16 Bottom Left Valve Solenoid Positive

5 Magnetic Sensor Negative 17 Top Right Valve Solenoid Negative

6 Magnetic Sensor Positive 18 Top Right Valve Solenoid Positive

7 Left Proximity Sensor Negative 19 Bottom Right Valve Solenoid Negative

8 Left Proximity Sensor Positive 20 Bottom Right Valve Solenoid Positive

9 Left Proximity Sensor Data 21 Right Relay Solenoid Negative

10 Right Proximity Sensor Negative 22 Right Relay Solenoid Positive

11 Right Proximity Sensor Positive 23 Left Relay Solenoid Negative

12 Right Proximity Sensor Data 24 Left Relay Solenoid Positive

The evaluation of the project will be done based on a report and a demonstration video. Eachgroup need to demonstrate the project in operation in a 15 minutes Youtube video. A time slotschedule will be posted later for each group to complete the project in Automatic ControlLaboratory from 9.00am to 5.00pm.Each group should prepare the demonstration video after completing the project and upload itto www.youtube.com. Add narration or text to describe the work being done includingprogramming. Include also university name, course name, lecturer name, group membername and group member picture. Write a report using MS Word document describing theproject which includes the address for the Youtube video and submit it before Monday22/12/2015 using the link provided in elearning website.

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