The Flexible Manufacturing System 14, "AE-PLC-FMS14" is a modular system composed of three workstations: the Industrial Control Processes Workstation "AE-PLC-CP", the Rotary Table Workstation 4 "AE-PLC-MR4", the Bottling Storage Workstation and "AE-PLC-ALB".
The objective of the "AE-PLC-FMS14" system is to process the input water through the control of its temperature, level, pressure and flow in different stages. Once obtained the product, it is bottled and is storage.
The process of the "AE-PLC-FMS14" is explained in the following lines:
- First, the industrial control processes workstation controls the temperature, the level, the flow and the pressure through four industrial controllers in different stages. The output product is pumped to the next workstation.
- Then, the rotary table workstation get the product, and fill the bottles. The rotary table includes several positions that provide the bottles, the place where each bottle is filled and where the bottles are covered.
- Finally, the storage workstation get the bottles and place them in the desired storage position.
Each workstation is locally commanded by a PLC device and, in turn, a central PLC coordinates all workstations. The communication network between workstations and PC is based on the Ethernet protocol.
The "AE-PLC-FMS14" include a SCADA system that works collecting the data of the Ethernet network that is connected to each PLC and the central PLC. The SCADA system allows the visualization from the PC of the production state, and the change of the production parameters in real time.
The "AE-PLC-FMS14" system design by EDIBON allows the users to learn the basic concepts of automation as the operation of an Ethernet network or how to program a PLC and about other areas as pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, industrial controller’s technology, etc.
The optional "AE-AS" software is design to teach the students how works real automation software. This software allows making 2D and 3D processes simulations, supervising and controlling SCADA systems, programming and communicating PLCs, simulating hydraulic, pneumatic and electronic devices operation, etc.