... Programmable automation controllers.In the current competitive business climate, demands for more productivity and efficiency with fewer resources are driving the need for additional automation throughout the manufacturing process. In the current automotive market, many companies are augmenting traditional PLC-based assembly lines with more cost-effective, PC-based technologies. Programmable automation controllers A programmable automation controller (PAC) is a compact controller that combines the features and capabilities of a PC-based control system with that of a typical programmable logic controller (PLC). (PACs) combine PLC ruggedness with PC functionality under an open, flexible software architecture. With these controllers, one can build advanced systems incorporating software capabilities such as advanced control, communication, data logging (data) data logging - (data acquisition) Storing a series of measurements over time, usually from a sensor that converts a physical quantity such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity, light, resistance, current, power, speed, vibration into a voltage that is then converted , and signal processing See DSP. with a rugged controller performing logic, motion, process control, and vision. ABCO ABCO Angelo Brothers Company Automatiom a developer of manufacturing assembly and test automation, was asked by a customer to develop a full-line conveyer assembly and test machine for automotive wheel speed sensor Wheel speed sensors are sender devices used for reading the speed of the vehicle's wheel rotation. It usually consists of a toothed ring and pickup. Special purpose speed sensors Rotary speed sensors for rail vehicles assemblies. The ability to construct and test each sensor throughout the assembly process was critical to the manufacturer's 'no-defect' standards. Speed, accuracy and industrial communication capabilities made the PAC platform the ideal solution for ABCO to meet rigorous application requirements, including interoperability with existing factory control systems. Additionally, system requirements To be used efficiently, all computer software needs certain hardware components or other software resources to be present on a computer system. These pre-requisites are known as (computer) system requirements and are often used as a guideline as opposed to an absolute rule. included that the sensor assembly throughput be increased to one part every six seconds, and that the new system be interoperable with multiple third-party modules and power supplies. The project consisted of the following large, designated machine sections, both of which used precision link indexing conveyors: * A 14-station assembly and verification line * A 10-station final test line In the first 14-station assembly and verification phase, the system over-molded the part and loaded it into the conveyor system, at which point it was completely assembled, verified, visually inspected, and ultimately welded shut. With the use of multiple DENSO robots, the system loaded and unloaded the sensor assembly into the 10-station line for final testing. ABCO Automation used National Instrument's PXI-1042 chassis and PXI-8186 controller, along with several NI PXI-6070E DAQ See data acquisition. devices, to develop an assembly line that acquires and analyzes waveform The shape of a signal. See wavelength, sine wave and square wave. data and then communicates with the existing PLC-based control system via an RSLinx OPC (1) (OpenGL Performance Characterization) A project group within GPC that manages OpenGL benchmarks. OPC endorses the Viewperf and GLperf benchmarks. Viewperf was created by IBM and OPC provides viewsets for it, which are combinations of tests using specific . Using NI LabVIEW DataSocket technology and RSLinx from AllenBradley, the PAC system acquires waveforms from an encoder connected to a tone wheel operating at a specific rpm and analyzes the data to determine pass and fail grades. Acceptable parts are sent to packaging while rejected parts are isolated. "National Instruments' OPC capabilities and interoperability with PLCs were key factors in the success of this project. The ease with which NI PAC hardware can speak to the Allen-Bradley hardware saved me valuable programming and integration time on this delivery-critical job," says Arif Bustani, ABCO electrical engineer for the project. "In the end, it directly benefits our customers when we improve performance and reduce costs." Circle 284--ABCO Automations Inc, or connect directly at www.rsleads.com/50df-284 Circle 285--National Instrument, or connect directly at www.rsleads.com/50df-284 |
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