Abstract:
A flexible automation system typically consists of a series
of workstations that are interconnected by material handling
and storage systems. These workstations include highly
automated machineries/equipment such as robots, and NC/CNC
machine tools etc. Although each individual equipment of
these workstations comes with a programmiug software/ system,
it always requires to develop a control software/system to
integrate the operations of the individual equipment to yield
an integrated system.
In 1990, Department of Industria! and Production Engineering
at BUET bought a desktop training robotics system which
consists of a 4 axis articulated robot, a 3 axis gantry
robot, a conveyor line with J machine tools, and a
Programmable Logic Controller(PLC) with an extension unit.
But since then it was not possible to commission and to get
the system in operation due to insufficient literature
supplied with the system, incomplete wiring & connections,
and other drawbacks.
In this project work the individual items of the above
mentioned cell has been put in operation, and the operations
of the individual items have been integrated through the
proper hardware connections and software development. The
robots and the conveyor line have been programmed and
interlocked through the Programmable Logic Controller and its
extension units. The integrated system can demonstrate the
principle of a roboti~ed flexible automation cell and it can
be used for robotics and automation teaching and
demonstration purposes.
