Introduction
Learning Outcomes -
EAT240 - Automation for Manufacturing
Coursework Assignment
Control System for Mixing Tanks
This coursework exercise will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate the skills you
will develop throughout the module. Specifically, the following learning outcomes will be
assessed:
LO2 - Design integrated automated systems using controllers, sensors, and actuators.
LO4 - Design and implement an automated system to solve a range of problems including
the control of common actuators.
LO5 - Design and test typical programming solutions for use with automation
systems. Practical Design Exercise
The assessment is a practical design exercise worth 50% of the module mark. You will be
required to work individually to develop a control system for an industrial application.
Scenario,
Scenario - A manufacturing company has recently installed a new paint line. The paint line
(see figure 1) can mix different colours of specialist paint to a set temperature. After the
mixing process has been completed the tank will empty to fill a batch of tins. The completed
batch will then be transferred to a labelling process before final transfer to a warehouse,
ready to be shipped to the customer.
Task - Your company has been contacted to tender for the control system for the paint mixing
and packaging line. The project manager has decided to utilise your skillset and you have been
tasked with individually designing a PLC program for the machine that as a minimum meets
the basic system requirements. As part of the tender process, you must submit the
appropriate documentation to an industrial standard, including sequential flow charts,
machine drawings and PLC programs.
Note: Please note all work should be completed on an individual basis and you will need to
carry out a face-to-face demonstration of your finished programme in order to complete the
assessment. Task 1 - System Control,
The system shown in figure 1 is to be controlled by the PLC. The PLC will perform the following
functions using the sequences and basic requirements listed below, Sequence 1 – (Paint A) is
heated to a temperature of 30 degrees and mixed for a 2-minute cycle. Sequence 2 – (Paint
B) is heated to a temperature of 60 degrees and mixed for a 5-minute cycle time.
A) - Basic System Program Requirements (to be used as guidance),
Step 1 - Upon activation of the system ready push Button, the system will be made ready to
use - only if the conveyor, heating elements and mixing tanks are switched off. This will also
be indicated by a red "System ready" light. The system must have an emergency stop to shut
down the full system.
Note: Emergency stop should stop the full system from working until reset.
Step 2 - When the "system ready" light is on, the process will start after a 10 second delay when
selected by the machine operator and the conveyor will then move the empty tins to the
appropriate filling station.
Step 3 - Once the batch of tins is present at the filling stations and the low-level sensor is
activated, the fill pumps are energised to allow the filling of tank A or B until the high-level
sensor is activated.
Step 4 - When the tanks are full, the mixing and heating cycle will start. After the mixing cycle
is complete, there will be a delay for 5 seconds to allow the paint to settle and then the tank
will empty until low level sensor is activated and the batch is complete. Note - You must ensure
that if there is a loss of power the mixing cycle does not exceed the paint cycle time.
Step 5- Once the batch has been completed, energise conveyor motor and transfer to the
warehouse process. Note: The number of batches must be counted in and out of the
warehouse location and once 50 batches have been made, the program will prevent the
operator from making any more, until the system has been reset.
EAT240 PLC Design Notes (20 Marks)
The customer has asked for a comprehensive a set of design notes for the PLC program based on
the required functionality described above. This may include:
●
Flowchart or Sequential Function Chart
1/0 list
Variable list
Comments on the purpose of each rung
Pneumatic/Hydraulic Drawings
PLC/HMI Program (20 Marks)
You will create your PLC program individually using your design notes. You can refer to the to the
following documentation which is available through the CCW software and on Rockwell
Automation website (details in the lab guides):
●
CCW programming manual
Micro820 hardware manual
CCW quick start guide
Actuator/Sensor Evaluation and Selection (10 Marks)
Based on your experience of developing the PLC Program consider how the machine could be
improved, you may wish to consider performance, efficiency, reliability, or maintainability as part
of your assessment. You should refer to the actuators and sensors which are used and choose at
least 2 actuators and sensors that could be used to improve the system, providing a description
and evaluation of each type. You will present a brief (max 4 pages) report which summarises the
evaluation, supported by appropriate references to your earlier work and any relevant technical
documentation. Engagement with Lab Sessions
While there are a number of elements to this assessment much of the work is based on the
activities that you will carry out online and during the laboratory sessions. Therefore, if you
engage with these activities you will greatly enhance your chances of achieving a good mark. After
each session you should try to think about how the material covered could contribute to the
assignment and make a note of this to support the design exercise.
The laboratory sessions will involve the use of the Rockwell Micro 820 PLC. Any submission for
alternative devices e.g. Arduino will not be accepted.
Importance of Design
One of the most important themes in this module is the importance of design. It is important,
therefore, that you allow adequate time to design your program. If you fail to do so you will not
only jeopardise the design elements of the coursework, but you will also make it extremely
difficult to score well for the coding activities.
Avoiding Accusations of Plagiarism
Any code you write must be entirely your own. You may bring listings into the coding sessions but
if these have been sourced from another source e.g. a text book or the internet, then this must
be fully acknowledged using comments which clearly and unambiguously identify the extent of
the code involved (e.g. by labelling the start and end of the section in question) and the source.
You should also ensure that all work in the written submissions is your own and correctly
referenced. Where you draw on references you should ensure that you clearly explain their
relevance to your own work. If you are unsure on the correct way to reference any material,
please ask or refer to the guidance available via the University Library Website:
http://library.sunderland.ac.uk/find-resources/referencing/
Presentation of Work
Presentation of work is of critical importance. The elements being submitted electronically should
be typed and clearly formatted making appropriate use of headings and subheadings. Your design
notes for the PLC program may be handwritten or typed but MUST be clear and legible.