MPS Station
Simulating Automation Lines in Live Production and Delivery of Products.
The Modular Production System Station, or MPS Station, is a system built with the physical movements of motors and controlled by the powerful programmed logic of a PLC to handle fast-paced production surpassing normal human production speed and requiring minimal human interaction.
Skills
Electrical Schematics & Wiring, PLC Assembly, PLC Programming, TCP/IP, Networking, HMI Design, Fast & Accurate Production Simulation
Timeline
January 9, 2024 to
April 20, 2024
Collaborators
Susan Odhiambo
Defining The Problem
A group of 20* students paired into 10* teams are tasked to develop and simulate an automated production line that receives materials, sorts, assembles, packages, and delivers finished products at the end of the line.
Each pair works on their own individual station. The moving and sensing devices in the production line are in unique configurations for each pair, requiring different approaches and a joint-group effort to ensure the production line interacts as fast and accurately as possible.
Where do we Start
The project starts with needing to assemble a new Allen-Bradley PLC equipped with a reliable power supply, input and output slots, and connection cables protruding out of the PLC's I/O ports* for connecting to the physical mechanisms outside.
Each PLC must be assembled the same way to ensure that every data transfer happens accurately between the schematics, programming, and connection of the components. It is important for any troubleshooting that we may run into while assembling, testing, operation, and repairing.
We follow an electrical wiring diagram to have an idea of how the necessary components, like the PLC, fuse, neutral & live currents, and others, should be placed around the panel.