Compact mechatronics training system (MR108) is a fully-integrated system that provides automation training, combining mechanics, pneumatics, electrical engineering, PLC control, communication interfaces, and more technologies principles. Various individual modules are available in this system to represent the most common types of manufacturing production processes in the industrial system and address further subject areas, including robot station, storage, distributing, buffering, testing, assembling, processing, sorting, and handling stations, each module can be operated separately or linked as a system to simulate real production processes. The system is based on the programmable logic controller (PLC) that plays a vital role in manufacturing and act as a central processor for all real time decisions. Trainees can perform real-time experiments on the system modules and learn how PLC can be used in managing complex, simultaneous, multi-stage operations.
- Mechatronics training system is designed to represent a variety of technology fundamentals that are highly used in many production processes such as, pneumatics, robotics, sensors, and PLC controller.
- The system is based on the programmable logic controller (PLC) that is used to control a wide variety of systems to support the automation requirements. It monitors inputs and changes outputs as controlled in the system program.
- A number of (9) experimental modules are provided to allow trainees to enhance their skills on the operation and testing of different types of manufacturing production processes similar to those found in real industrial applications.
- System modules provide inclusive and flexible systems to handle, and include all the required components of each system so trainees have absolute freedom to use any one based on the type of the experiments to be carried out.
- System modules can also be arranged in various sequences as desired so that trainees can recreate a fully functional automated line such as processing - testing– sorting line handling – assembly- storage line, and more.
- Industrial modules provided in the training system are :
- Loading Module (MR108.1)
- transport station Module (MR108.2)
- Measuring station Module (MR108.3)
- Processing Station Module (MR108.4)
- Packing Station Module (MR108.5)
- Buffering Station Module (MR108.6)
- Sorting Station Module (MR108.7)
- Robot Station Module (MR108.8)
- Storage Station Module (MR108.9)
- Each module is designed with three main parts, technology station, control unit (panel), and underframe. All of them are provided with software to adjust the settings of the PLC or demonstrate the process carried out.
- The horizontal part of each system module includes the technology station which is the process area that demonstrates a real-life manufacturing production process system.
- The control panel accommodates PLC control panel and all components needed to power and control the system experiments. It incorporates power sources, switches, and indication LEDs.
- Additionally, the control panel is equipped with ON/OFF main power switch as well as, emergency switch, which guarantee the required protection to produce a safeworking environment.
- All modules are supplied with metal and non-metal test parts (workpieces) made out of different widths and colors to simulate the products in the industrial plants and enable performing the most common processes using a PLC system.
- The station modules in this training system are delivered completely assembled, wired and tested.
- Every station module can be operated separately or linked to another module or more.
- The system provides different ways for connecting the modules.
- An adapter plate is supplied to allow two modules without a common hole pattern to be attached together.
- This module demonstrates the distribution system that is responsible of the sequential flow of the products which are designed and linked to facilitate and monitor the movement.
- This module demonstrates the distribution process begins with the stacking magazine of the station, where the work pieces are stored in the magazine tube.
- Work pieces of different shape and size are provided so trainees can examine how the distribution system separates, stores, and distributes various types of pieces.
- This system module composes of a wide variety of contact-less sensors and actuators such as proximity light barrier sensor, proximity capacitative sensor, Pistons and reed switch.
- Material characteristics of the work piece are determined using an optical and inductive sensor.
- Double acting cylinder is used to push the work pieces out of the magazine tube one at a time.
- The end positions of the cylinder piston are fixed by contactless sensors.
- A proximity capacitive sensor is being used to detect the presence of the sample
- This module focuses mainly on pneumatic linear axes and how to control them. as a pneumatic handler gripper is being used to transfer the sample from the loading station to the measurement station.
- This system module consists of a wide variety of components including: pneumatic Rotary Actuator, pneumatic gripper, limit switches and more Industrial handling components.
- The handling system uses input criteria to sort work pieces or transfer them to a station downstream.
- Work pieces that are inserted into the holder are detected by an optical diffuse sensor and the handling device then picks up each work piece with the aid of pneumatic gripper.
- This module focus on reading the fill level of the workpiece sample by the use of an analog transmitter sensor
- A PLC with analogue input can analyze an analogue tension from 0 to 10V.
(sample filling level ).
- A belt conveyor system is used to deliver the sample to the next station .
- A contact-less sensor is being used to detect the sample at the analog sensor measuring point .
- Two contact-less sensors are used to detect the sample at the start of the conveyor system and the end of the conveyor system.
- This system module is designed to demonstrate the processing operation programmed using PLC controller. it tests and processes the sample characteristics by the use of sensor fusion and integration.
- A belt conveyor system is being used to deliver the sample to the various sensor stations for processing .
- An inductive proximity sensor is being used to determine the sample material and a color sensor is used to determine the sample color.
- A capacitive proximity sensor is used to hold the sample for color processing at color sensor station.
- Two contact-less sensors are used to detect the sample at the start of the conveyor system and the end of the conveyor system.
- This system module is designed to practice experiments on packing processes that are manual or partially automated. This guarantees optimum synchronization between the operators and the packing line.
- Two linear mechanism is used to pack the sample by using a suction cup for holding the pack of each sample one at a time.
- A contact-less sensor is used to detect the sample and hold it for the packing process.
- A belt conveyor system is used to deliver the sample to the packing area.
- Two contact-less sensors are used to detect the sample at the start of the conveyor system and the end of the conveyor system.
- This system module is designed to help trainees to understand how the buffering system is used in manufacturing to adjust variations in the production process. the buffer is a way to ensure that the production line continues to run smoothly despite unforeseen factors coming into play.
- the system is mainly used to inspect the final sample as the final product before delivering it to the storage station An integration of different sensors is being used to re-test the sample characteristics as material and color and assuring that the sample is perfect and ready for storing .
- Two contact-less sensors are used to detect the sample at the start of the conveyor system and the end of the conveyor system
- This system module is designed to demonstrate sorting methods of products which used in real-life industrial plants.
- Sorting system sorts the workpieces by color and moves them via an electrical conveyor belt.
- This module includes proximity sensors, optical sensors to monitor number of parts in each slide.
- A sorting sequence is used to sort the samples according the analysis results from the processing station.
- A sorting mechanism is being used to sort the sample in different chunts according to each sample characteristics.
- Two contact-less sensors are used to detect the sample at the start of the conveyor system and the end of the conveyor system.
- This system module provides one of the most popular robot types in the industrial space which is the 6-axis robot.
- It is equipped with a 6-axis articulated arm by robot controller, safety housing, and pneumatic multifunction gripper.
- The 6-axis allow a robot to move in the x, y, and z planes, as well as position itself using roll, pitch, and yaw movements. This functionality is suitable for complex movements that simulate a human arm.
- This module demonstrates how to use optical sensors, mechanical structure, and safety switches in industrial robotics applications.
- The workpieces are transferred by the robot from a running process to another position.
- This system module is provided to teach trainees how the storage system can differentiate amongst workpieces based on their color and store a variety of workpieces over many levels and rows. It creates a space-saving storage for products and this is importantly required in any industry system.
- It includes rotary movement performed by electrical DC motor and integrated controller, stroke movement executed using electrical linear axis with separate controller, and linear movement executed using a cylinder.
- Trainees can understand the function and application used for storing workpieces of different forms and structures.
- an optical light barrier sensor is being used to determine if the storage unit is full or not.