RESTORATION OF A PNEUMATICALLY CONTROLLED END-OF-ARM-TOOLING (EOAT) FOR CLASSROOM TEACHING

Trent Lott and Chase Keller

Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Saadeh

Class: ET 494-01 (Senior Design II)

Class Professor: Dr. Cris Koutsougeras

Southeastern Louisiana University

Computer Engineering Technology

Spring 2014

End-of-Arm-Tooling (EOAT)

The EOAT was an Intralox donation.

It came with various sensors, pneumatic actuators, pumps, and mechanical slides.

The EOAT was typically used to pick-and-place components through vacuum suction cups

Programmable Logic Controller PLC

The EOAT came with a PLC and other power components.

The power panel included some components that were not applicable to our project.The 480V transformer and the high power components were removed.

Working System at Intralox:

How did the EOAT operate?

1. Slide into the mold.

2. Extend the vacuum cups to grab the next part.

3. Lift it up so the next section could be molded to it to create a continuous belt.

Working System at Intralox:

Then, the EOAT would slide back out so the mold could close and start the process all over again.

Objectives:

To restore the EOAT and learn the functionality of the entire system.

To provide our ET program with an extra training/simulation apparatus to better prepare our graduates for real work equipment.

Available Components:

EOAT

Allen Bradley MicroLogix 1200 PLC

Software RSLinx RSLogix 500

Air Compressor (4 hp)

Wooden Frame

Pneumatic gauges, tubing, and fittings

Vacuum pump (VP80 – 200M)

The Frame:

MicroLogix 1200 PLC by Allen Bradley

RSLinx Software

RSLogix 500 Software

Air Compressor:

Valve Pack:

For controlling the air supply to individual components of the system.

Problems With The Vacuum

Three phase Vacuum Pump is not adequate for lab use.

Multi-Port Venturi Vacuum Pump VP80-MP

The VP80-MP vacuum pump has 4 vacuum ports that distribute vacuum equally to 4 locations

Research and Documentation:

Deliverables:

January 2014: Order missing parts (vacuum pump, sensors, pneumatic

tubes, pneumatic regulators). February 2014):

Connect sensors and actuators to PLC and train the system.

March 2014: Connect vacuum and air compressor to PLC and

actuators. April 2014:

Test the system, document all components, and prepare a user manual that describes the operating mechanism.