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PNEUMATICS SEQUENCER-EXTRA EXERCISE

INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS
Packaging Process
The installation shown is used to pack cans in groups. 4 product items are moved at the same time. This permits the
use of motion units which are able to approach only end positions. The packaging material is advanced in steps. This
can be achieved by using a pneumatic cylinder with a detent which engages in the conveyor chain.
The motion sequence of this process begins when the user pushes the start button (NO) to activate the straight
vibrating conveyor (7-electric actuator). Immediately, the stop cylinder is contracted until it triggers the contraction
sensor (6). This action is the signal to expand the stop cylinder and make the lifting slide go down(2). When the cans
are reached, the suction cup device is activated(4) (air flows into the device).
Then the cans are lifted and moved from left to right by the rodless linear unit (1) (both movements occur at the
same time). When the linear unit reaches the right side and the lifting unit touches the sensor above it, the semi-
rotatory drive turns counter-clockwise until reaching its limit. At this point, the lifting slide descends until reaching
the packaging material(8). In the down position the cans are freed.
Finally, the lifting slide goes up, the semirotary drive turns clockwise, the rodeless linear unit goes to the left and the
feed conveyor belt goes straight (11) (these four movements occur at the same time). When these four actuators
reach their final position, the feed conveyor belt comes back and activates a sensor. This sensor gives the signal to
repeat the entire process.
When the stop button (NC) is pressed the process is paused and when the button is released all the actuators go
back to their initial positions. Keep in mind that the straight vibrating conveyor is running throughout the entire
process. All the pneumatics actuators are double acting devices and have sensors at both ends that are activated in
different steps.

Please perform the following tasks:
a) Draw the phase-space diagram of the process.
b) Define the groups and sensors to define groups and changes between them for each phase (be efficient
making groups)
c) Draw a pneumatic circuit to implement the sequence.
1 Rodless linear unit
2 Lifting slide
3 Semi-rotary drive
4 Suction cup
5 Lateral guide
6 Stop cylinder
7 Straight vibrating conveyor
8 Packaging material
9 Stand
10 Driver
11 Sectioned conveyor belt
12 Foot
13 Feed pawl