A state-of-the-art system
For a typical shell-making robotic cell, a powerful PLC system enables all the connectivity, CPU power and memory capacity needed to make a state-of-the-art system.
Key cell components
There are three key elements to the overall architecture: the PLC, an industrial PC displaying Scada-HMI, and an articulated robot (which connects to the rest of the system through the Ethernet communication protocol).
Scada-HMI
- Configurable and scalable system
- Functions equally well as a small or large supervisory system:
- Can be delivered as a basic single-station HMI
- In a bigger system, can be turned into a distributed multi-user supervisory system
- Can be set up in multiple ways
- In a redundant-servers fashion
- Deploying a full factory status display
- Enables Internet-based connectivity for remote system status display
- Extensive connectivity package
- Any vendor automation products
- All vendor communication protocols
- Higher-level systems and databases
We use state-of-the-art high end PLC of reputable brands and, while most robotic cell manufacturers would provide a human machine interface (HMI) panel with limited CPU and expansion capacity, at Shell-O-Matic we recommend an industrial PC with the use of Scada software to perform the HMI.
In a Shell-O-Matic-powered robotic cell, the PLC takes control of all the inputs and outputs (I/Os), broadcasting their status over an easy-to-configure network connected by a robust, machine-level ethernet platform.
- Reliable communication
- Easy to expand if future automation is added
- Can be connected to surrounding automated systems or higher-level IT systems
- PLC brand can be selected to match existing customer factory automation standard.
Articulated robot
Ethernet allows the PLC to connect to any robot brand, allowing the PLC to know the real-time status of the robot, and control its functions:
- Dictate robot routine to run as a function of the part recipe
- Allow robot programs to access all I/Os and process variables
- Enhance safety and human-robot collaboration
