PLC Lab Station : An Implementation of External Monitoring and Control Using OPC

Abstract: The PLC is frequently used when implementing automated control, which is animportant part of many modern industries. This thesis has been carried out incollaboration with ÅF Consult in Sundsvall, who were in need of a PLC labstation for educational purposes. The overall aim of this thesis has been todesign and construct such a lab station and also to implement a solution forexternal monitoring and control possibilities. The methodology of this projecthas included a literary study, followed by the implementation of the actualsolutions and finally an evaluation of the project. The finished lab stationincludes a conveyor belt and a robotic arm controlled using two PLCs. Theconveyor belt is designed to be able to store, transport, differentiate and sortsmall cubes of various materials, and the robotic arm is designed as a pick-andplacedevice that can move the cubes between different positions on the labstation. The monitoring and control solution is set up using an OPC clientserverconnection on a PC and it provides a graphical user interface where thelab station can be monitored and controlled externally. The lab station offersdiverse functionality, but due to some inconsistency in the included equipmentit is not entirely reliable. The external monitoring and control solution alsoprovides good functionality, but the time frame of the project resulted in a lessextensive implementation than originally intended. The overall solutions are,however, considered to offer a functional and proper platform for educationalpurposes.