Overview
The ICT platform is a representation of a typical industrial automation system.The system includes component sorting, assembly inspection and accepts/reject processes.
The objective of this project was to develop an efficient and robust, fully automated
controller for the ICT setup to asssemble widgets using LabVIEW.
LabVIEW is a graphical programming
environment which allows the creation of programs referred to as virtual instruments.
Using labVIEW, virtual instruments were created to read data through the sensors and manipulate the workspace using the actuators available in the ICT system, to assemble widgets. A front-panel was also developed to:
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Start and stop the assembly line using the front panel.
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Keep track of sensors and actuators of the system.
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Keep track of complete and incomplete assemblies.
Industrial Automation Setup.
A metal-peg with a plastic-hopper - desired final assembly.
Flow chart for sorting plastic-hoppers.
Flow chart to release plastic-hoppers on to metal-pegs.
Flow chart for Quality Assurance flow.
Flow chart for keeping track of accepted/rejected assemblies and counting parts.
Front-Panel GUI.
Final Result
The objective of this project was to design a GUI controller for the ICT3 system using LabVIEW's Graphical programming language.
The controller implementation employed concepts from digital logic and applied different strategies in tackling different sections of the assembly line. For example:
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Sorting of the plastic-hoppers in the sorting area was achieved by actions based on edge-trigerring.
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Assembly in the assembly chute and hopper was based on timing.
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Sensing was based on edge-triggering and state flags.
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Rejection or accepting an assembly was solely based on flags.
If you're interested in the design process, I'm more than happy to share my labVIEW files, shoot me a message!