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Automated Drilling Machine Based on PLC

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 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 2 Issue 3, March 2015.
www.ijiset.com
ISSN 2348 – 7968

Automated Drilling Machine Based on PLC

Yousef M. Abueejela1, A. Albagul2, Ibrahim A. Mansour3 and Obida M. Abdallah4
1,2,3,4
Control Engineering, College of Electronic Technology,
Bani Walid, Bani Walid 38645, Libya

yousef.yaqa@gmail.com

Abstract Initially, when start switch (toggle switch) is pressed,

This paper aimed to design and fabricate an automated drilling the linear motor is moving up until reach the home
machine based on PLC to produce holes (8mm depth) in the position. Then the rotary disk starts to bring the work
center of a cubic work pieces (3 cm ×2 cm × 3cm). The drilling piece until it reaches a certain position, which is felt by the
machining process proposed for a cycle of drilling. The cycle inductive sensor, after that the linear motor is work down
process is start when the start switch is pressed; the linear motor
and then after a certain time starts drilling motor to drill
is put in place the drilling head in home position, and rotate the
rotary disk to bring the first work pieces to desired position. the work piece to a certain depth and finally disposed of
Meanwhile, the drilling process is running after the inductive the work piece and bring another.
sensor in the (desired position) sense the object. Then the process
will stop automatically when made the hole and went back to the
home position, after that the rotary disk start to rotate quarter
cycle to carry the drilled object out the table during the lower
rotary disk. The PLC used to perform these operations, by
reading data from sensors and actuate the DC motors. At the end
of this project, the result shows that the designed system was
able to run the drilling process autonomously for three object per
minute based on the desired sequence.
Keywords: Drilling Machine, Automated, PLC, Switches,
Inductive Sensor, Limit Switches.

1. Introduction Fig. 1 Drilling System Prototype.

The drilling process is an important process in industries

because it is used to made holes into or through metal,
wood, or other materials. Drilling machines use a drilling 2. System Components and Hardware
tool that has cutting edges at its point. This cutting tool is Structure
held in the drill machine by a chuck (quill) taper and is
rotated and fed into the work pieces at constant speeds. The automated drilling machine system consists of four
Drilling machines may be used to perform other important stages as shown in Figure 2. These stages are:
operations. They can perform countersinking, boring,  The first stage consists the sensors and switches (input
counter boring, spot facing, reaming, and tapping, drilling devices) those feed the controller by some information
machine is the most common machining process in about the machine situations.
industries. Control engineering is one of the aspects,  The second stage is the controller, which is the brain of
which have been given a great deal by many researchers. the system, which get information from sensors and
It became to a great concerns in many areas such as take the decision before send the orders to the output
industry, agriculture, medicine, education and devices by actuators.
infrastructure. Automatic control system have emerged as  The third stage is the actuators and indicators of the
an integrated part in telecommunication, electricity, and drilling machine (output devices), which get orders
other application. This project is devoted to the use of from the controller.
control system in drilling system; the control system will  The fourth stage is the mechanical structure and design
play a major role in control on all parts of the project as of drilling machine process.
shown in Figure 1.

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In the prototype, the inductive sensor installed in the

lower disk, inside a hole in order to sense the work piece
before the operation start. The lower and upper disk
thickness is 2cm, and the diameter of each 25.4cm. with
gap between the upper and lower disk about (1cm).

2.2 Switches
Switches are electrical or electronic contact devices
Fig. 2 Automated Drilling Machine System
used to turn (ON) or (OFF) the flow of electricity through
a circuit. Switches are essential components in almost all
2.1 Sensors the electronic devices used today. Switches require
another device or action (Force) to change their state from
Sensors are very important devices in industrial control open to close or close to open. Switches might operate
system, which translate a physical phenomenon into an manually or mechanically.
acceptable signal that can be analyzed. They can be used • Manually Operated referred to types operated by hand,
during pre-process, in-process and post-process which the operator must do an action, in order to start,
operations. Sensors also can be divided into two types: stop or reverse the state. Manually switches such as
• Contact type. (toggle and pushbutton switches).
• Non-contact type such as proximity sensors [2, 3]. • Mechanically Operated referred to switches those
controlled automatically (Mechanically) by factors such
2.1.1 Proximity Sensor as pressure, position, flow, or temperature. These
Proximity sensor is electronic device, non-contact type include (limit switch, inductive limit switch) [5, 6].
used to detect an absence or presence an object. Proximity
sensors come of two types, inductive proximity sensor and 2.2.1 Limit Switch
capacitive proximity sensor.
The limit switch is one of the main of switches used in
Inductive proximity sensor are able to detect and sense
automatic control. The limit switch has a set of connecting
nearby metallic objects without any physical contact
points. In the event these points are collided with
within range 1-7 mm. Otherwise, capacitive sensor are
anything, their positions will be changed .when the
used to detect metallic and non-metallic objects without
situation of the connecting points is changed, the limit
direct contact [3, 7].
switch operates or intercepts the running load (such as an
engine) or issues an alert and etc. The limit switch as
2.1.1.1 Inductive Proximity Sensors
shown in the Figure 4.
Inductive sensors use currents induced by magnetic
fields to detect nearby metal objects. All of inductive
sensors consists of four basic elements; the oscillator,
which produces the electromagnetic field, the coil, which
generates the magnetic field, the detection circuit, which
detects changes in the field when an object enters it and Fig. 4 Limit Switch Used
the output circuit which produces the output signal [4]. 2.2.1.1. Position of Limit Switch in Project
The sensor was installed during the lower rotary disk in
order to sense the object when reach the desired position As shown below in Figure 5, two limit switches are
as shown in Figure 3. installed in the project, named X1, X2 on the vertical rod.
The upper limit switch (X1) is used to put the system at
home position and start drilling cycle by run the rotary
disk to bring the object to the desired position. The lower
limit switch (X2) is used to:
 Stop the motion down of linear motor.
Inductive Sensor  Drill (8mm) inside the object.
Position
 Move the linear motor up to home position.
Fig. 3 Inductive Sensor Setup on the Project

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 Rotate the rotary disk quarter cycle to push out the

finished object.

Rotary
Motion

Linear Motion
Fig. 7 DC Motors with Rotor and Linear Actuator.
Fig. 5 Limit Switches Setup on the Project

2.2.2 Toggle Switch 2.4 Relays

A manually operated switch is on that is controlled by Relays are simple switches operated both electrically
hand. A single pole single throw toggle switch connects or and mechanically . Relays consists of an electromagnet
disconnects one terminal either to or from another. It is the and set of contacts .There are also other operating
simplest switches. Figure 6 below is an example of principles for its working which differ according to their
manually switches used in the project. applications, Figure 8 shows type of electro-mecanical
relays used in the project [1]. 

Fig. 8 Type of Relays.

Fig. 6 Project Toggle Switch

2.5 Indicators
2.3 Actuators Indicators are used to monitor the operation or
Actuation defines as the result of a direct physical condition and the telecommunication and electrical circuit
action on the process, such as drilling a work piece or for indicator signal, accident signal, fault signal and other
rotate the object from side to another side by rotating the indicator signals.
upper rotary disk. In our project as shown in Figure 9,we have chosen three
types of indicators in order to monitor different operations,
this indicators are:
2.3.1 DC Motor
 Green indicator: To show that, system working state.
DC motors have been used in industrial applications for  Read indicator: To indicate drilling motor operation.
years. Coupled with a DC drive, DC motors provide very  Yalow indicator: To indicate rotary disk operation.
precise control. DC motors can be used with conveyors,
elevators, extruders, marine applications, material
handling, paper, plastics, rubber, steel, and textile
applications. In this prototype project, we used three DC
motors for different movement as shown in Figure 7.
Rotary DC motor to rotate the upper rotary disk.
Rotary DC motor to rotate the spindle to drill the object.
Linear DC motor to move up and down the vertical rod,
which handle the drilling head [1, 8]. Fig. 9 Indicators.

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3. System Wiring and Implementation

2.6 Mechanical Structure and Design Figure 12 shows the connection of each part that has
been used in this project, these parts are:
The project table dimension is 40cm × 40cm × 50cm  Toggle switch: Tow wires in this switch connected to the
(length x width x height). On This table, a window DC PLC one of these wire connected to the 24V DC, the
motor mounted to rotate the rotary disk, and DC linear other wire connected to the input of the PLC (X0).
motor holding the drilling head and quill with spindle as  Upper limit switch: Tow wires in this switch connected
shown in Figure 7 and Figure 10. to the PLC one of these wire connected to the 24V DC,
The drilling head: Is the mechanism used to revolve the the other wire connected to the input of the PLC (X1).
cutting tool (spindle) by DC motor.
 Lower limit switch: Tow wires in this switch connected
Quill: house of the spindle.
to the PLC one of these wire connected to the 24V DC,
Spindle: round shaft holds cutting tool.
the other wire connected to the input of the PLC (X2).
 Inductive sensor: Three wires in this sensor connected
to the PLC tow wire is to feed the sensor, first wire
connected to the 24V DC, the second wire connected to
the 0V, the other wire connected to the input of the PLC
(X3).
 Linear dc motor: Since the motor is 30V DC and the
PLC is 24V DC, the 24V DC mechanical rely is used,
we are used tow mechanical rely to reverse the direction
of rotation of the motor, connected the NO of tow relies
to gather and NC to gather. The motor was connected to
the output of the PLC (Y1) for up motor and PLC (Y2)
for down motor.
 Drill motor: since the motor is 5V DC and the PLC is
24V DC, the 24V DC mechanical rely is used. The
motor is connected to the output of the PLC (Y4).
Fig. 10 Mechanical Strictures of the project  Rotary motor: since the motor is 2.1V DC and the PLC
is 24V DC, the 24V DC mechanical rely is used. The
motor is connected to the output of the PLC (Y3).
2.6.1 Fixed and Rotary Disk
The project consist of two circular disk rotary and fixed as
shown in Figure 11.
 Fixed disk: Its dimension 25.4 cm diameter and 2 cm
thickness, with square hole 4cm x 3cm used to drop
the finished work piece, this disk is mounted over the
rotary DC motor during small hole.
 Rotary disk: Its dimension 25.4 with two square hole
3cm x 2cm.this upper disk is mounted with the DC
motor. The square holes were used to bring work
pieces to the position and drop finished work pieces
with lower disk. Fig. 12 Drilling System Wiring Diagram.

3.1 Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

Technical specifications of PLC Mitsubishi FX2n-
32MT on the Table 1 [8].
Table 1: Technical Specifications of Mitsubishi PLC

Fig. 11 Fixed and Rotary Disk

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General features work pieces drilled about (8mm). with this operation the
Max .number inputs/outputs 16 read indicator turns ON, see Figure 14.
Power supply 100-240 VAC
Output type Transistor
Power consumption [W] 30 V A
Weight [Kg] 0.65
Dimensions (WxHxD) [mm] 136x90x87

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Tasks of the drilling system component are:
Toggle switch: is main switch to start up the system and
turn off the system.
Mechanical rely: is used to appropriate between the Fig. 14 Drilling Operation.
motors and PLC.
Linear motor: is used to move up and down the drill head. System start drilling the work piece until the lower limit
Drill motor: is used to rotor the spindle to drilling the switch activate, then the system stop drilling and the up
work pieces.
Rotor motor: is used to rotor the upper disk for bring linear DC motor activate to put the drill head at home
work pieces. position.
Inductive sensor: is used to detect the presence of the
sample at the desired position. Finally, new work piece feeded to empty square hole,
Indicators: are used to light different colors to show and the rotary uper disk start to rotat quarter cycle to push
system states.
Limit switches: are used to stop the linear motor upper out the drilled work piece during the lower disk hole as
and down motion. show below in Figure 15.
The prototype of the automated drilling system was
built by combining the mechanical design and electrical
design as shown in Figure 1 above.
Finished Work Piece
Initially, when the toggle switch is pressed ON, the green
indicator is turn (ON) to show system running, the DC
linear motor is moving up to put in place the drilling
motor( Drilling Head) in home position, at the upper limit
switch (X1) as shown in the Figure 13.

Fig. 15 First Object drilled.

5. Conclusion
In conclusion, the automated drilling machine was
successfully designed and implemented based on PLC
Fig. 13 System Starting. control system. The prototype is done to drill a small hole
in wood work-piece about (8mm) in depth, and perform
As the work pieces reach the desired position (over the
drilling for 3 objects per minute, in order to increase the
proximity sensor) the rotor disk stop rotating, and yellow
efficiency of small drilling machines instead human work.
indicators turn OFF, after that the second stage start
From the results of drilling performance testes, the system
running by moving down DC linear motor, and for certain
was apple to drill small holes and all the objectives were
time about 7 seconds the drilling motor turn 0N till the
done successfully as proposed.

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6. References
[1] A. Albagul, K. Alsharef, M. Saad, Y. Abujeela, "Design and
Fabrication of an Automated Multi-level Car Parking
System", in Manufacturing Engineering, Automatic Control
and Robotics, 2013.
[2] S. K., Robotics, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
[3] D. Shetty and R. Kolk, Mechatronics System Design.India,
2004.
[4] Hugh Jack, Automating Manufacturing system with PLC,
version5.New York, 2007.
[5] Allan R. Hambley, Electrical Engineering Principles and
Applications. Pearson Education Limited, 2013.
[6] Himanshu Mishra, PLC BASICS COURSE , Schneider
Electric. India New Delhi.
[7] S. k. Bhattacharya, Industrial Electronics and
Control,Delhi,2006.
[8] Khalid. A.alsudany, multi-level car parking system, College
of Electronic Technology, Bani Walid, Libya, B.Sc. project,
2012.

Yousef M. Abueejela was born in Baniwalid in 1979, received B. E &

M. E degrees in Control Engineering & Mechatronics and Automation
systems from Tripoli University, Tripoli, Libya & University of Ton
Husen onn, Malaysia, Johor, Malysia, in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
He is a Lecturer in the Department of Control Engineering at College of
Electronic Technology, Bani-walid, Libya. He has many publications
Journals and conferences. His research interest covers Automation
control and Robotics.
Yousef M. Abueejela is a MIEEE, MIEEE Control System Society,
RIEEE Robotic and Automation Society.

A. Albagul was born in Baniwalid in 1968. He received his B.Sc. degree

in electronic engineering (control engineering), The Higher Institute of
Electronics, Baniwalid, Libya, 1989. MSc, in control engineering,
University of Bradford, Bradford, UK, 1993. Ph.D, in electrical and
electronic engineering, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK in 2001.
His research interests are Control Systems, System Dynamics and
Modeling, Smart Sensors and Instrumentation, Robotics and Automation.
He was an Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor at the
Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
International Islamic University Malaysia from 2001 to 2006. He is
currently a Professor at the Department of Control Engineering, College
of Electronic Technology Baniwalid, Libya.
Prof. Albagul is a MIEEE, MIEEE Control System Society, MIEEE
Robotic and Automation Society, MIEEE Measurement and
Instrumentation Society and Member of Libyan Engineers Society. He
has many publications in refereed international journals and conferences.

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