PLC based automated storage and retrieval system
The basic idea behind this project is to automate the laborious warehouse tasks.This project intends to pick up objects and place them in a rack and when required, retrieve them. But the essence of the whole system lies in the automation. PLC is used as the brain of
2025-06-28 16:34:29 - Adil Khan
PLC based automated storage and retrieval system
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryThe basic idea behind this project is to automate the laborious warehouse tasks.This project intends to pick up objects and place them in a rack and when required, retrieve them. But the essence of the whole system lies in the automation.
PLC is used as the brain of the system.The system will detect the object and based on its kind, the system will place it in a particular slot. For Retreival, the system will take input from the user to retrieve as per user's requirement. The system will interact with the user through a GUI.
Project ObjectivesFollowing are the objectives of this project:
- Discrimination of the objects
- Stable motion of the lifter
- Placement of the object in the right slot
- Picking up the right object while retrieving.
The whole system is controlled by PLC. The whole system has the following cruical parts:
- A 2X2 rack i.e. 4 slots.
- A lifter with linear motion in three different directions. This is implemented by using belt mechanism and the motors that are used are step motors.
- Interaction with the user using GUI made on SCADA. This interface communicates serially with the PLC.
- Also infrared sensors are used at each slot to keep a track of the capacity of the rack.
- Object discrimination is based on the size of the object which will be done by using an ultrasonic sensor.
This project has immense applications in warehouses
- It saves a lot of time
- It can help in the prevention of human injuries
- It can be used to increase the efficiency
- It also helps to get rid of human errors and keep a better record of the whole warehouse.
Hardware Mechanism:
The main part of the mechanism is the lifter.The lifter has linear motions in three different directions.Each direction is controlled by a stepper motor which is ultimately controlled by the PLC.
The whole lifter mechanism rests at a zero position under no action scenario.As soon as it detects an object and storage command from the user,it picks it up and place it in the desired slot.
For retrieval,the system when detects the retrieve coomand,moves to that particular rack and retrieves the object at that slot.
Software Interface:
The user interacts with the system through a GUI built using SCADA. This GUI communicates with the PLC serially in real time.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry OthersOther Industries Security Core Technology OthersOther Technologies RoboticsSustainable Development Goals Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and ProductionRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 53200 | |||
| PLC(FBs-20mar2-ac) | Equipment | 1 | 25000 | 25000 |
| Mechanical structure | Equipment | 1 | 20000 | 20000 |
| Steppers Motor | Equipment | 3 | 1500 | 4500 |
| Stepper motor driver | Equipment | 3 | 500 | 1500 |
| Stepper motor shield | Equipment | 3 | 400 | 1200 |
| Infrared sensors | Equipment | 5 | 200 | 1000 |