This machine is at my current job. The infeed roller table is controlled by an a old Automate 15 processor. There were some issues with how the roller table acted. So, I took it upon myself to correct the issues.
The programing software runs under dos and with my tablet running windows 8, that means running another program called DOSBOX in order for this Automate programing software to work. There's no real serial port on this tablet and I couldn't get my USB-to-Serial converter to connect to the Automate. I resorted to learning the programing software on my tablet, then write the program on the old Pentium desktop on a cart to program the Automate.
I have corrected the issues with the infeed table and made some other improvements to reliability of the machine such as stopping the rollers from running after 15 seconds of no product on the table. The operators are much happier that they now a flawless operation. They don't have to go play with the sensors trying to get the table to move. It all works as it was possibly intended. They can now just concentrate on packaging the product to ship, saving them time.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
RV Bus
My brother's girlfriend had gotten an RV bus and I was asked about updating the controls. I looked into this and started writing a program to control and monitor things like thru water pump, water heater, generator start/stop, inverter on/off, battery voltage, battery amperage, battery level and tank levels.
I got these things to work on the test bench and started working on WiFi access to the plc. WiFi access from any given spot was going to require more hardware so, I dropped that for now.
My brother (Jeff) and his girlfriend (Julie) had taken a vacation to the Grand Canyon. So, I did not get the chance to get anything installed. That gave me time to think about what else could be incorporated into this control system. That's when I thought about and auto-leveling control for the leveling jacks. I ordered some parts and made a leveling sensor plate to be mounted under the bus. I then got started on the programming. After finishing the program, they got back from vacation and decided to move to California. So, still no time to get the system installed. Over the next several weeks, I debugged and studied ways to refine the whole plc code.
I have been thinking of incorporating the environmental thermostat controls. Maybe even main engine and generator temps. Maybe I'll do it after the rest of the system is installed and fine tuned.
Stay tuned...
I got these things to work on the test bench and started working on WiFi access to the plc. WiFi access from any given spot was going to require more hardware so, I dropped that for now.
My brother (Jeff) and his girlfriend (Julie) had taken a vacation to the Grand Canyon. So, I did not get the chance to get anything installed. That gave me time to think about what else could be incorporated into this control system. That's when I thought about and auto-leveling control for the leveling jacks. I ordered some parts and made a leveling sensor plate to be mounted under the bus. I then got started on the programming. After finishing the program, they got back from vacation and decided to move to California. So, still no time to get the system installed. Over the next several weeks, I debugged and studied ways to refine the whole plc code.
I have been thinking of incorporating the environmental thermostat controls. Maybe even main engine and generator temps. Maybe I'll do it after the rest of the system is installed and fine tuned.
Stay tuned...
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