This bachelor’s thesis was carried out in collaboration with ATEK (Automationsteknik i Tibro AB) and aims to develop an automated control system for material handling using roller conveyors, PLC systems (Programmable Logic Controllers), and HMI (Human-Machine Interface). The project addresses the need to improve logistics in a factory environment where manual handling causes issues such as heat loss, poor working conditions, and inefficiency.
The system consists of three separate PLC projects, each controlling its own conveyor, but all interconnected through a shared safety system. The programming was done in Siemens TIA Portal following the IEC 61131-3 standard (for PLCs) and ISA-101 (for HMI). The work follows the V-model for system development, providing a structured approach from requirement analysis to verification and testing.
The result is a robust and user-friendly system that meets the requirements for automation, energy efficiency, safety, and ergonomics. The system allows both manual and automatic operation, includes alarm handling and sequence control, and is integrated with the fire protection system. Special focus was placed on code reuse and structural efficiency during development. The discussion highlights both the benefits and challenges of reusing function blocks and templates, as well as suggestions for improvement in future projects.