ABSTRACT

This project primarily focuses on Industrial Automation. It discusses about setting up a real-time Industrial process titled Autonomous Material Tending. This abstract deals with the entire control structure of the system by detailing the programming and interfacing of various control modules. Industrial Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) from ABB (AC31 series) and related software packages are used to build up the central process control layer. National Instruments LabVIEW with the associated Data Logging and Supervisory Control Toolset (DSC) is used for Image Processing. The robot controller ABB IRB1410 is the final actuator layer. MODBUS protocol is used to solve compatibility problem raised from different vendors tools. This is made by communicating PC (LabVIEW 2012) with ABB Advant Controller 31 series PLC, via MODBUS, for controlling the robot arm.