Development of a Pneumatically Driven Cell for Low Cost Automation

The present work addresses the development of a pneumatically driven manufacturing cell for low cost automation applications. This cell can be used in innovative applications as a low cost alternative to increase production and quality in industry. The state of the art shows that technological advances in computing have made possible a drop in equipment prices, making them more accessible. The aim of this work is to develop automation through a classic methodology for a manufacturing cell to minimize errors and facilitate the sequential logic conception. This experimental prototype has been developed at the UNIJUI with financial support by public organizations and companies. Pneumatic actuator used in bench driven has the following advantages: its maintenance is easy and simple, is of relatively low cost, self-cooling properties, and good power density (power/dimension rate), and is fast acting with high acceleration and installation flexibility. However, there are difficulties of control logic due to the complex systems. The sequential controller strategy design considers the pneumatic system, experimental results, and performance of the proposed control strategy.