Conveyor Belt Project Report

Alfonso Hitler Álvarez Garma

Carlos José Balam Poot
Erik Arturo Barroso Zavala
Universidad Politécnica de Yucatán
Ángel Armando Leal Baeza
Km. 4.5. Carretera Mérida — Tetiz
Alfredo Israel Puerto Ic
Tablaje Catastral 7193. CP 97357
Sebastián Meléndez Zorrilla
Ucú, Yucatan. México
Computational Robotics Engineering Email: 2109102@upy.edu.mx

Abstract
This document focuses on the development of a conveyor belt designed for industrial use, which is able to sort items between
two distinct kinds, all the while having a computer-based GUI for control. All done using Arduino and the LabView software suite.

Index Terms
Development App, GUI, UX, ARDUINO, IDE, LABVIEW, Robotics, Band, Conveyor

October 14, 2023 © Universidad Politécnica de Yucatán

Practice Report – Fall 2023 UPY

3) GUI (Graphical User Interface)

I. INTRODUCTION
When working with peripheral programming, one
This is the first project of the Peripheral
must develop applications for many devices, a GUI
Programming subject, it entails the creation of a
is the most important part of the interaction, allowing
functioning conveyor belt, a machine system seen in
a user to interact with the peripherals from their
all kinds of factories and workplaces, since it is an
computer.
extremely helpful tool for transport and
manufacturing of parts.
GUI refers to the visual elements that allow users
to interact with software or hardware.
This project needs to have two different
It is the way that a system is presented to an user
components to it, the programming, and the physical
or an owner, a GUI is a way to graphically present
project. While the former might seem like the harder
the information and data handled by the system, a
one of the two, in truth, building the project within
proper design of a GUI allows even non experienced
such a short timespan proved to be the biggest
users to interface with the system. [2]
challenge here.

The research and prototype presented here can be

applied to a manufacturing workplace, since it
allows the user to comfortably interface with a
conveyor belt.
II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

1) Robotics in manufacturing
In recent years robots have become indispensable in
automating tasks that were once labour-intense,
enhancing the precision, speed, and productivity of
assembly lines. A key part of these systems are
conveyor belts.
2) Conveyor belts
Conveyor belts are the circulatory systems of
production facilities. They are looped belts that are
wrapped around two pulleys, powered by an
electric motor and placed upon a metal bed.
The use of conveyors is also space efficient, as less
space and personnel is needed to move the items.
As a result transporting products between stations
in production and processing lines is simple and
efficient with a conveyor. [1]
There are many different types of conveyor belts,
each with its specific use cases, and industries
where they prove optimal.
Figure 1. The screen of an old GUI, from [2]
An outdated GUI like the one seen above can be
detrimental to a project, at least, compared to a
properly made modern one. The question of
aesthetics is brought into question, though that is a
topic for later in the subject.
4) UX (User Experience)
UX encompasses the overall experience a user has
while interacting with a product or application. In
our context, creating an intuitive and user-friendly
design.
The main focus of UX design is to improve
usability, it is a quality attribute that determines how
easy and satisfying a GUI is for the end user.
It is defined by 5 quality components; How easy it is
to learn, how efficient it is, how easy it is to
Practice Report – Fall 2023 UPY

remember after not using it for a while, how does it ATmega328P microcontroller it has 14 I/O pins, 6
take to the user making errors, and how satisfying the of them with PWM features, 6 analog inputs.
design feels. [3] [Arduino]

III. TOOLS AND METHODS

1) LabView

Figure 2. LabView Software, from LabView

Developed by National Instruments, LabView is a
graphical programming environment commonly
used for data acquisition, instrument control, and
automation. [4]
In this project, Labview serves as the
programming method, the software where the GUI is
created, and made to function with the Arduino’s
sensors and motors.
Figure 3. The Arduino UNO. From [5]
A power source and H-Bridges were also used to
control the motors, along with a presence sensor, to
detect the objects passing by.
IV. DEVELOPMENT
The code used for the program is as follows:

2) LINX MakerHub

Is the plugin used with LabView to communicate

with Arduino, thus allowing serial communication Figure 4. The pause function.
through the PC COM Ports, using a USB cable.

3) Arduino
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform
based on easy-to-use hardware and software.
It provides a simple and accessible user experience,
with inexpensive development boards that are
compatible with multiple softwares other than the
Arduino IDE. [5]

The Arduino board used for this project was an

Arduino UNO development board, based on the
Practice Report – Fall 2023 UPY

This program works to control the movement of

the band, which is determined by the buttons pressed,
and the number of objects seen by the scanner.
The pieces for the belt were developed in 3D
design software, and printed through PLA in a 3D
printer

Figure 5 The pause function for the counter.

Figure 9. 3D model of a brace

Figure 6. The code to count the objects

Figure 10. Flat image of the spinner

Figure 7. The start of the servo function.

Figure 8. The end of the servo function.

Figure 11. The spinner after being printed.

Practice Report – Fall 2023 UPY
V. RESULTS
The final conveyor belt was assembled after many
issues had propped up, but managed to function as
expected. The GUI functions without any issues, the
buttons cannot be pressed at the same time, since
they are programmed as latches.
The belt itself was built with foamy, and is driven
by a spindle attached to motors. The torque found in
the main motor is rather strong, so it needed to be
fixed in place.
Figure 12. The conveyor belt.
Figure 13. The H-Bridge and circuit used.
Figure 14. The conveyor belt in action.
Figure 15. The final GUI.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the project was a difficult
experience, since the constrained time frame made
many of the decisions become based on time-related
situations.
Still, the project was successful, and implementing a
GUI into the Arduino program proves to be a useful
method of controlling the conveyor belt.
It is certainly more user-friendly than the use of a
makeshift remote control, or the connection issues
found when using a Bluetooth module.
The applications of the project are also quite
simple to imagine, the use of conveyor belts in the
industry is quite commonplace, so being able to
understand how they work, how to give maintenance
to them, and how to use their capabilities in the
process itself.
The continued usage of the LabView software has
made using it become increasingly easier with each
task, as finding new functions for the projects
presented in class becomes a necessity.
REFERENCES
[1] Spaceguard Ltd., "What is a Belt Conveyor?" [Online]. Available:
https://www.spaceguard.co.uk/belt-conveyors/what-is-a-belt-conveyor/.
[Accessed: Oct. 14, 2023].
[2] J. L. Whitten and L. D. Bentley, "Systems Analysis and Design
Methods," [Online]. Available: [Not Available]. [Accessed: Oct. 14, 2023].
[3] J. Nielsen, "Usability Engineering," [Online]. Available:
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/.
[Accessed: Oct. 14, 2023].
[4] National Instruments Corporation, "LabVIEW Basics," [Online].
Available: https://www.ni.com/en-us/innovations/white-papers/08/labview-
basics.html. [Accessed: Oct. 14, 2023].
[5] Arduino. "Getting Started with Arduino," [Online]. Available:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Introduction. [Accessed: Oct. 14, 2023].