PLC-controlled Conveyor Belt Colour Sorting System with Pneumatic Actuation

Trio Motion Technology has launched the first controllers from its new Motion-PLC range, designed to provide advanced motion control performance with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC. Discover how the controller enables faster design and install of packaging machines in the latest issue of MEPCA: https://lnkd.in/eBKckCau #Manufacturing #Engineering #Process #Control #Automation

🚀 I recently built a Sorting Automation System using Node-RED and Factory I/O. 🟢 In this project: Sensors detect products on the conveyor. Node-RED processes the signals and controls the actuators. Products are automatically sorted into the correct path. A dashboard was created for monitoring counts and manual control. ⚡ I know that in real industrial applications, PLC controllers are more reliable and faster for handling signals compared to Node-RED, especially when it comes to processing speed and accuracy. But using Node-RED here was a great way to simulate and learn the logic of automation systems. 🏭 This type of system is widely applied in packaging factories, warehouses, and production lines to improve efficiency and reduce errors. It was an amazing experience combining simulation and control logic to bring an industrial automation process to life! #NodeRED #FactoryIO #IndustrialAutomation #PLC #SmartFactory #IIoT

CHAPTER - 2 ⚡ Continuing my journey through “Introduction to Industrial Automation” by George Nikolakopoulos! Chapter 2 dives into the hardware components that bring automation to life—the muscles and senses of any industrial system. From actuators that move machines to sensors that feed real-time data, this chapter lays out the essential building blocks of modern process control. 🔑 Key Takeaways from Chapter 2: Actuators (Muscles of Automation) ⚙️ Electric Motors: AC/DC motors for industrial work, stepper motors for precise open-loop positioning, and servomotors for high-torque closed-loop control. 💨 Pneumatic & Hydraulic Actuators: Compressed air for light tasks vs. hydraulic oil for heavy, high-force applications. 🔀 Relays: From power contactors to solid-state relays, these are the backbone of control logic. 🔩 Solenoids: Electromagnetic push/pull devices for valves, latches, and breakers. Sensors (Senses of Automation) 📡 Detection & Positioning: Proximity switches, photoelectric sensors, limit switches, and encoders for movement and position tracking. 🌡️ Process Variables: Thermal overload relays (motor protection), level switches, flow switches, and temperature/pressure switches. Special Components ⏱️ Timers: ON-delay & OFF-delay relays for sequence control. 🔄 Cam Timers: Mechanical sequencers for repetitive operations. 💡 What stood out to me is how each hardware component, from a simple float switch to a high-precision encoder, plays a crucial role in ensuring reliability, safety, and efficiency across industries. 👉 Which do you think is more fascinating—actuators that move entire machines or sensors that give machines awareness? #IndustrialAutomation #Engineering #Automation #PLC #SCADA #ProcessControl #Industry40 #Manufacturing

Box Sorting Automation – Factory I/O & Siemens TIA Portal ·  Designed and implemented a PLC-based box sorting system using Siemens S7-1200  In Factory I/O. ·  Integrated light array sensors for height-based sorting and retro-reflective sensors for object detection. ·  Used negative triggering (N_TRIG) logic and delayed entry conveyor control to achieve precise and reliable sorting. ·  Applied closed contact logic to maintain continuous supply flow during detection and sorting operations. #PLCProgramming #TIAportal #IndustrialAutomation #AutomationEngineering #ControlSystems #PLCtips #Siemens

What is a TP Timer Instruction? Think of it like turning on a water faucet for exactly 10 seconds. No matter how quickly you turn the handle off, the water will flow for the full 10 seconds. Conversely, if you hold the handle on for 20 seconds, the water will still stop after 10. Key Behavioral Characteristics: The behavior of a TP timer can be summarized by two golden rules: Fixed Output Duration: The timer's output (the "Q" pin) will stay TRUE for exactly the preset time period you specify (e.g., 10 seconds, 2 minutes), even if the start input signal goes to FALSE (0) earlier. Ignores Prolonged Input: If the start input signal stays TRUE for longer than the preset time, the output will still turn off after the preset time has elapsed. It does not extend the pulse. Pin Explanation (From the Image): IN (Start Input): The trigger signal. The timer starts when this changes from 0 to 1 (a rising edge). PT (Preset Time): The duration of the pulse you want to generate (e.g., T#10s for 10 seconds). Q (Output): The result. It becomes 1 for the duration of the PT and then returns to 0. ET (Elapsed Time): A live value showing how much time has elapsed since the timer started. It resets when the timer completes or the input goes low. TP timers are perfect for any application requiring a fixed, uninterruptible operation time: Activating a Solenoid:  Dispensing a product for exactly 2 seconds onto a conveyor. Starting a Motor: Engaging a star-delta starter's star contactor for a precise period before switching to delta. Generating a Warning Pulse: Flashing a warning light for 3 seconds when an event occurs, regardless of subsequent triggers. In essence, the TP timer is the instruction you use when you need a guaranteed, minimum on-time for an output, making it a foundational and indispensable tool in industrial automation. #PLC #Automation #TPTimer #PulseTimer #SiemensTIA #PLCProgramming #IndustrialAutomation #ControlSystems #Engineering #Industry40 #IIoT #Tech

🚀 Vertical Conveyor System – Smart Material Handling Simulation 🔹 How can a warehouse or production line automatically transfer goods between different floors? The answer lies in the Vertical Conveyor System. ✅ Entry Conveyor delivers pallets with boxes to the automated lift. ✅ Elevator Conveyor moves up or down to the designated floor. ✅ Exit Conveyor distributes pallets to the horizontal line at the selected floor. ✅ Siemens HMI displays floor indicators, system status, pallet counters, and ON/OFF & Reset controls. ✅ Entirely controlled by Siemens PLC (TIA Portal) and visualized with Factory I/O. 🎯 Key Benefits: ✔️ Vertical material transfer without manual handling. ✔️ Improved efficiency and safety in operations. ✔️ Full operator visibility through HMI monitoring. 💡 This system is highly suitable for warehouse automation, intralogistics, and modern production lines moving toward Industry 4.0. #PLC #Automation #FactoryIO #Siemens #SmartWarehouse #Industry40 #MaterialHandling

Transforming Production: A Full Automation Upgrade on a 6-Head Piston Filling Machine I’m excited to share a recent project where I successfully upgraded a Piston Filling 6-Head Machine from semi-automatic to fully automated. This transformation has not only boosted our production capabilities but also set a new benchmark for precision, reliability, and efficiency. 📈 Key Results Achieved: ✅ Boosted Productivity – Over 30% increase in output, reducing production time per batch. ✅ Improved Accuracy – Filling variance reduced to <1%, ensuring consistent product quality. ✅ Optimized Manpower – Repetitive tasks automated, allowing the team to focus on quality control & process management. 🔧 Core Components Integrated: PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): The brain of the machine, executing all logic and sequencing. HMI (Human Machine Interface): An intuitive touch screen for monitoring, parameter adjustment, and troubleshooting. Servo Motors & Drives: For precise piston control, ensuring repeatable and highly accurate filling cycles. Sensors – the “eyes” of the system: Photoelectric Sensor: Bottle presence detection (No Bottle – No Fill). Level Sensor: Hopper product level monitoring to avoid dry runs. Proximity Sensor: For accurate bottle indexing on conveyor and nozzle up/down positioning. Inductive Sensor: Detects piston stroke completion and metallic stopper positions. Pneumatic System with Solenoid Valves: Smooth bottle stopping and nozzle movement. VFD (Variable Frequency Drive): Synchronizes conveyor speed with the filling cycle. Safety Interlocks & Emergency Controls: Ensuring operator and machine safety. ⚡ This project clearly demonstrates how strategic automation upgrades can deliver a powerful return on investment while improving productivity, accuracy, and safety. 🔍 Have you worked on a similar automation project? What key components did you use? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments! #Automation #IndustrialAutomation #PLC #HMI #SmartManufacturing #FillingMachine #Productivity #Electrical #Maintenance

No matter where a plant is in its digitization journey, our ability to interpret PLC logic adds value anywhere, in any industry. Logic information is the foundation of automation - it contains the conditions and sequences necessary for machines to run. As factories get more advanced and complex, PLC logic isn’t just critical for operations; it’s essential for optimization, predictive maintenance, and quality improvement. That’s why the need for PLC logic interpretation will only grow going forward. ⚡ With UDMTEK, plants don’t wait months or years to see results. We deliver value in just a few days. Free trials launch in a few weeks — let us know if you to download it and transform downtime management 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaBd_wTm

🔧 Proud to showcase our latest project: A disposal machine for the label attaching process, developed using Siemens LOGO! PLC and pneumatic actuation systems. This machine is engineered to: ✅ Automate the disposal function after label attachment ✅ Improve accuracy and consistency ✅ Minimize manual intervention ✅ Enhance overall production efficiency This project reflects our ongoing commitment to applying PLC-based control systems and industrial automation to optimize manufacturing operations. #PLC #SiemensLOGO #AutomationEngineering #IndustrialAutomation #Pneumatics #SmartManufacturing #Industry40 #ProcessImprovement #EngineeringInnovation #ManufacturingEfficiency

Post #194AB0IBE 📚The PLC acts as the brain of the system it receives inputs from sensors, processes logic based on a program, and controls outputs like motors, valves, and lights. It runs in real time and handles all decision-making tasks. 📚On the other hand, the HMI serves as the interface between the human operator and the machine. It displays real-time data from the PLC, such as temperatures, motor status, and alarms, and allows operators to give commands like starting or stopping a process. 📚While the PLC handles the control logic, the HMI makes it easy for users to monitor and interact with the system through a graphical display, often using a touchscreen. 📚In short, the PLC controls the process, and the HMI allows users to control and observe it. 📚We'd love to hear your thoughts on this, share your comments below. #Automation #PLCs #HMIs #manufacturing #IndustrialAutomation #smartindustry #controlsystem #pictechnology #HMItrends #digitaltransformation #plcprogramming