ME3242 Automation

Chapter 1 Introduction

ZHANG Hongying, Lecturer

Mechanical Engineering, NUS

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
 Facilitators

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

2
 About me
• 2021.3 – present Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering, NUS
• 2018.8 – 2020.7 Postdoc, École Polytechnique Fédérale de
Lausanne
• 2014.8 – 2018.7 Ph.D. Candidate, ME, NUS
• Research interests
• Soft robots, origami engineering, and metamaterials
• Contact
• Office: E1-08-15
• Email: hy.zhang@nus.edu.sg
• Phone: 6601 2547

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

3
https://www.radwell.com/
Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
 Module Learning Outcome
• Have a good appreciation of practical industrial pneumatic and
electromechanical logic components.
• Able to read and understand pneumatic circuits and
electromechanical ladder diagrams.
• Able to design and implement such circuits for sequencing
problems.
• Explain the major functions of a programmable logic controller
(PLC).
• Able to program a PLC

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

5
 ME3242 Automation
• Reference book
• D. Pessen, “Industrial Automation,” John Wiley, 1989
• F.D. Petruzella, “Programmable Logic Controllers”, 2005
• Lectures
• Tuesday: 10:00-12:00 @ EA-06-03
• Thursday: 16:00-18:00 @ EA-06-03

• Examination
• Dec. 4, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

6
 Course Outline
• Boolean Algebra
• Switching Elements
• Design of Sequential Control Systems
• Purely Pneumatic Circuits
• Systems with Random Inputs
• Programmable Logic Controllers

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

7
 Assessments
• Examination 55%
• Lab Assignments 15% + 15% + 15%

• Lab Experiments (will be scheduled after Recess Week)

• Lab 1: Electromechanical Circuit
• Lab 2: Pneumatics Circuit
• Lab 3: PLC programming

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

8
 Course Outline
week timetopic
Chapter 0: Introduction to Industrial Automation
1 Aug. 15
Chapter 1: Boolean Algebra
Chapter 1: Boolean Algebra
17
Chapter 2: Actuator for Automation
Chapter 2: Actuators for Automation (Continue on …)
2 22
Tutorial 1
24 Chapter 3: Sensors and Switching Elements

3 29 Chapter 4: Pneumatic Logic Circuit and Applications

31 Chapter 5: Electro-Pneumatic Systems Electrical

Chapter 5: Electro-Pneumatic Systems Electrical (continue on …)
4 Sep. 5
Chapter 6: Cascade Method
7 Chapter 6: Cascade Method (Continue on …)
5 12 Chapter 6: Cascade Method for Pneumatic circuits
Chapter 6: Cascade Method for Pneumatic circuits (continue on ...)
14
Tutorial 2
Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
9
 Course Outline
week time topic
6 Sep. 19 Chapter 8: Huffman Method
21 Chapter 8: Continue on … Huffman method with random input
7 Oct. 3 Chapter 9: PLC
6 Tutorial 3
8 10 Chapter 9: Continue on …
12 Tutorial 4
9 17 Chapter 9: Continue on …
19 Tutorial 5
10 24
26
11 31
Nov. 2
Lab session
12 7
9
13 14
18
Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
10
 What is automation?
• Definition: (https://www.merriam-webster.com/)

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

11
 Industrial Automation Example I

D C

B
E

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

12
 Industrial Automation Example I …
Cans
Counter
Cyl D with Cyl C with
Limit
suction pads suction pads
Switch
Cyl B

Cyl A

Cyl E

Paper stack Box

B+A+A-B-B+A+A-B-B+A+A-B-B+A+A-E+C+VC+C-E-C+VC-C-B-
D+VD-D- D+VD+D- 14
Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
 Industrial Automation Example II
1. Pick & Place
2. Face Milling
3. Slot Milling
4. Side Milling
5. Drilling
6. Chamfering
7. Fine Boring
8. Inspection

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

15
 Industrial Automation Example III

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

16
 Industrial Automation Summary I
• Automation uses logic and programming to feed the machine
information on how to carry out a function. These machines
allow for high control which improves manufacturing
performance.
• Breaks down the process into various tasks
• For each task, analyze the types of actions needed to accomplish
the task
• Arrange these actions in a sequential manner

• The benefits of industrial automation in a manufacturing

environment include high reliability, increased productivity,
quality enhancement, and reduced labor expenses.
Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
17
 Industrial Automation Summary II
• For a given actuation task, involves
• Actuators to activate the corresponding action in the task
• Electromechanical actuators
• Pneumatics and hydraulic actuators
• Sensors to ensure completion of actuation
• Limit switches
• Pneumatics switches
• Systematic approach to ensure each action is activated in a
desired order
• Boolean algebra
• Huffman Method
• Cascade Method
• PLC

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

18
 THE END!

Confidential; © Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.