PLC Control installation for a new machine

[supercub]

We are having a machine made that makes a unique product. We have machinist who will fabricate the machine and install an Ingersol Rand ARO drill head and two air cylinders that make up the machine. We need someone to configure a PLC operating system to control the pnuematics and the ARO on/off, and stroke. The machine will make two similar products that require different cycle times for the air cylinders and ARO. I am looking for someone that can install and configure the electrical end of this project. We are in SE CT. I have looked through thomasnet and most of the contractors around us are mostly electrical power service contractors. Any ideas, leads?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Look under robotics??

 

[Skogsgurra]

Tip: Get a small PLC system and do it yourself.

For the system you describe, a "Relay PLC" like Siemens LOGO! will do the job. Proven over many years, low cost, extremely easy to use. Get one and try it out. You will be enough of an expert to do the job within a few days.

Just do it!

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[supercub]

I will look under robotics. I am really blind in the field of electronics. I need someone to do a turn key on this.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Almost sounds like a High School project and I bet you could find someone to do it for you!!

 

[jraef]

What you want is called a "Control System Integrator" or just "System Integrator" (but that could mean computers too), not an electrician. It's likely a pretty small job for an SI, but often times the small shops will take on something like this, or the larger ones will know of a new guy, i.e. an ex employee striking out on their own, that will do it.
Here is a link to look for one:


In the selection criterea, you want to select your state, but also select the service and support area as your state too, otherwise you will get all the people in other parts of the country that want you to believe they do work in CT. Trust me, you want someone local for this.

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[itsmoked]

This field is also called "Mechantronics". What you want is a supplier near you who will provide the bits/pieces and will know someone nearby that can "program it all". A common one is Applied Industrial Technologies.

http://www.applied.com/

What you'll need is:

1) PLC
2) Power supply
3) 24VDC inputs
4) 24VDC outputs
5) A suitable enclosure
6) A [red]STOP[/red] button
7) Suitable 24VDC pneumatic valves to run your cylinders
8) Suitable 24vDC pneumatic valve to run your spindle
9) Your cylinders
10) Strap-on position sensors so you know when the cylinders are in position.
11) A [green]RUN[/green] button
Optional
12) A small user interface screen if you expect the need to adjust some parameters over time.
13) Possibly a position sensor or two or three

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[danw2]

What happens down the road if he, the systems integrator, gets hit by a truck on the way home and you subsequently need service his service?

Make sure, up front at this stage, that you (your company) are going to 'own' the program, that you get a copy of the finished program, and that the PLC program is not password protected (with a password that you don't know) or locked out in the PLC so that if need be, you can hire someone to access the PLC and have a copy of the program it runs.

You're buying the program, make sure you establish ownership.

 

[supercub]

Thanks, that is a great tip.