MA4001 Engineering Design

PLC Pneumatic Control Systems

Dr John Heng

College of Engineering
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

• Describe how PLC’s are setup to control pneumatic circuits

• Explain PLC’s pneumatic system control with examples

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 PLCS CONTROLLING PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS

Cylinder proximity sensor Type SM- 8/10.

Open for all: 2 sizes for nearly all pneumatic.

Standard: Flush fitting in profile slot, variants for all

applications.

• Contactless or contacting sensing

• Voltage 24 V DC or 230 V AC

• Temperature range -20… +120

Sequencing with a solenoid operated pilot controlled

valve.
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 EXAMPLE

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 EXAMPLE

Consider the continuous sequencing of a double acting pneumatic cylinder

using a 4/2-way solenoid-operated pilot controlled valve as illustrated in figure
below. The end of stroke condition is indicated by means of sensors. The
ladder diagram is also shown below.

Ladder diagram for system with a

solenoid operated pilot controlled
Sequencing with a solenoid operated pilot valve
controlled valve

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 SIMPLIFY CIRCUIT FURTHER

If the directional control valve was solenoid operated with spring return
then it would be necessary to latch the output Y431 ON and switch it OFF
by means of the sensor X403. The corresponding ladder diagram for the
continuous sequencing is shown in figure below.

Ladder diagram for system with a

solenoid operated pilot controlled
valve.

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SIMPLIFY CIRCUIT FURTHER

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 EXAMPLE

A double-acting cylinder is to sequence as follows:

A+; 2 s delay; A- repeating 10 times

A start switch (X400) and a stop switch (X401) are used to switch a 3/2-
way valve that controls the air supply into the system.

The valve is solenoid spring return controlled and the 4/2-way directional
control valve is solenoid operated pilot assisted.

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 EXAMPLE

The I/0 arrangement is as follows:

Start switch X400

Stop switch X401
Position sensor (retracted) X402
Position sensor (extended) X403
Main air valve solenoid Y430
Directional control valve solenoid (extend) Y431

Directional control valve solenoid (retract) Y432

Timer for 2 second delay T450

Counter for 10 cycles C460

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 EXAMPLE

Sequencing with counter and timer

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 EXAMPLE

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 EXAMPLE

A+; 2 s delay; A- (repeating 10 times)

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 EXAMPLE

During part of an automatic assembly operation two double acting

pneumatic cylinders are to sequence for 10 consecutive cycles once a start
switch has been activated.
The cycle is:

A +; 5 s delay; B +; A -; 3 s delay; B- (Repeat 10 Times)

The end of stroke condition is detected by limit switches and details of the
electro-pneumatic control valves are as follows:

• Start switch valve 2/2-way with solenoid and spring return.

• Cylinder A valve 4/2-way with solenoid and spring return.

• Cylinder B valve 4/2-way with solenoid-operated pilot-controlled.

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 EXAMPLE

A +; 5 s delay; B +; A -; 3 seconds delay; B- (Repeat 10 Times)

Sequencing of two cylinders Ladder logic program for the sequencing of two cylinders

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 EXAMPLE

The sequence requires five inputs, four outputs, two timers and one counter from the PLC.

Sequencing of two cylinders

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 EXAMPLE

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 SUMMARY

We have learnt the following:

• PLC’s are setup to control pneumatic circuits

• PLC’s pneumatic system control with examples

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