IBM
Rochester, MN

Design, development and implementation of controls and instrumentation which will operate an automatic assembly machine to manufacture a component for a printer. The component consists of two small carbide cylinders and an aluminum barrel. Each of the cylinders must be aligned with each other and must be pressed to an exact dimension into the barrel. After the parts have been assembled, they are measure to insure proper dimensions and are placed into an "accept" or "reject" bin. An operator panel is required to control the rotary table, feeder bowls, and motors.

A Texas Instruments PLC was chosen as the primary controlling device for the machine. This device controlled the main assembly process where the carbides were assembled into the barrel, as well as, the three subprocesses where the carbides were loaded, measured and readied for the final assembly. LVDT sensors were used to do all measurements and those outputs were fed into the PLC for comparison decisions. The PLC also watched and reacted to the controls on the operators panel.

The machine performed its function properly and provided automatic assembly of the barrel component without intervention from the operator of the machine. The labor savings and flawless operation of the machine resulted in the fabrication of two more identical machines.

Texas Instruments PLC
LVDT Measuring Devices
Rotary table indexers
Feeder bowls