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19.3 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. What are pallets used for?

(ans. to acts as holders for work that is being transported)

2. List possible methods for guiding an AGV. (ans. guide wire, vision, painted lines, chain)

19.4 LABORATORY - MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM

•For this lab the class will be divided into two halves. One group will do part A, the other group will do part B. Both groupswill have to work together for a successful lab.

•System Objective: When done the system should be able to pass a shuttle in a continuous loop.

19.4.1 System Assembly and Simple Controls

Purpose:

The SoftPLC and devicenet will be used to control the material handling system Lock and go stations.

Overview:

The material handling system is designed in a modular format. Each of the track sections can be disassembled and reassembled in other configurations. In total there are, 4 turnstations

6 straight track sections (2 have stands for suspending overhead gear) 2 90 degree track sections

1 conveyor system for a straight track section

12 shuttles

The material handling system will be outfitted with the devicenet based controls system to move the shuttles around the system. This system will be added to in later labs. The shuttles are actuated using solenoid valves for an air supply. By actuating the “lock and go” stations the cart can be stopped, or ejected.

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Pre-Lab:

Examine the system components and determine (as a group) how the system will work. Implement ladder logic to control the system.

In-Lab:

1.Connect the track sections.

2.Connect solenoid valves to the “lock an go” stations - except on the turnstations. Add sensors to detect the presence of a shuttle

3.Wire the solenoid valves to the softPLC and write the ladder logic required to control the stations.

Submit:

1. All design work.