Automation systems and design of an automated packaging machine

Automated solutions include several sub-systems which are related with mechanics,electric/electronics and computer technoloy,so modular and mechatronic designing strategies should be routed for integrating these components.In this thesis, firstly these related sub-systems classsified and explained. After that, an automated packaging machine which is gripping the parts that are being fed with an indexing system, and locating it into a package designed, manufactured, implemented, and tested. Designed packaging machine have five actuators. Two step motors have choosen for indexing rotary and part's holding head linear motions. Other actuators are two pneumatic cylinders which are used for holding head up-and-down motions and package linear feeding and a pneumatic gripper which is designed in the scope of this thesis. Control system of the machine is including three PIC microcontrollers that are a 16F877 used as an master controller (PLC-like functions) and two 16F84s used as step motor controllers. The electronic circuits for PICs designed and assembled on electronic boards and PICs programmed with C. Finally, a control cabinet designed and assembled which is used as an enclousure for the electronic boards and pneumatic valves.