Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work considers the control of reconfigurable assembly systems using a welding
assembly system as a case study. The assembly system consists of a pallet magazine, a
feeding system, an inspection and removal system, a welding system and a conveyor. The
aim of the work is to compare PC and PLC as controllers, as well as to compare two
different approaches to reconfigurable control.
The control system of the pallet magazine was developed using a PC and a PLC. The PC
control was programmed using Visual C#, while the PLC was programmed in Ladder Logic
using Siemens S-300 STEP7. The two controllers were compared based on the attributes
that measure the quality of a controller's software, which include its capability,
availability, usability and adaptability.
The approaches to reconfigurable control considered were the agent-based
methodology and the IEC 61499 distributed control methodology, both of which were
applied to the feeding system. The agent-based control system was implemented using
the JADE agent platform, while the IEC 61499 distributed control system was
implemented using the FBDK software kit. These two methods were compared based on
the characteristics of a reconfigurable system, which include the system's modularity,
integrability, convertibility, diagnosability, customization and scalability.
The result obtained in comparing the PC to the PLC shows that the PLC performs better
in terms of capability, availability and usability, while the PC performs better in terms of
adaptability. Also, the result of the comparison between the agent-based control system
and the IEC 61499 distributed control system shows that the agent-based control system
performs better in terms of integrability, diagnosability and scalability, while the IEC
61499 distributed control system performs better in terms of modularity and
customization. They are, however, on a par in terms of convertibility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werk beskou die beheer van herkonfigureerbare monteringstelsels met 'n
sweismonteringstelsel as gevallestudie. Die monteringstelsel bestaan uit 'n paletmagasyn, 'n
voerstelsel, 'n inspeksie-en- verwyderingstelsel, 'n sweisstelsel en 'n voerband. Die mikpunt
van die werk is om persoonlike rekenaars (PCs) en programmeerbare-logikabeheerders
(PLCs) as beheerders te vergelyk, asook om twee verskillende benaderings tot
herkonfigureerbare beheer te vergelyk.
Die beheerstelsel van die paletmagasyn is ontwikkel met 'n PC en 'n PLC. Die PC-beheer is in
Visual C# geprogrammeer, terwyl die PLC in leerlogika met Siemens S-300 STEP7
geprogrammeer is. Die twee beheerders is vergelyk in terme van die eienskappe wat die
kwaliteit van 'n beheerder se sagteware meet en sluit in vermoë, beskikbaarheid,
bruikbaarheid en aanpasbaarheid.
Die benaderings tot herkonfigureerbare beheer wat oorweeg is, is die agent-gebaseerde
metodologie en die IEC 61499 verspreide-beheermetodologie. Beide is op die voerstelsel
toegepas. Die agent-gebaseerde beheerstelsel is geïmplementeer met behulp van die JADE
agent-platform, terwyl die IEC 61499 verspreide stelsel geïmplementeer is met behulp van
die FBDK sagteware-stel. Hierdie twee metodes se vergelyking is gebaseer op die eienskappe
van 'n herkonfigureerbare stelsel, waarby die stelsel se modulariteit, integreerbaarheid,
diagnoseerbaarheid, pasmaakbaarheid en skaleerbaarheid ingesluit is.
Die resultate wat in die vergelyking tussen die PC en PLC verkry is, toon dat die PLC beter
vaar in terme van vermoë, beskikbaarheid en bruikbaarheid, terwyl die PC beter vaar in
terme van aanpasbaarheid. Die resultaat van die vergelyking tussen die agent-gebaseerde
beheerstelsel en die IEC 61499 verspreide beheerstelsel wys dat die agent-gebaseerde
beheerstelsel beter vaar in terme van integreerbaarheid, diagnoseerbaarheid en
skaleerbaarheid, terwyl die IEC 61499 verspreide beheerstelsel beter vaar in terme van
modulariteit en pasmaakbaarheid. Hulle is egter vergelykbaar in terme van omskepbaarheid.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5368 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Adams, Azeez Olawale |
| Contributors | Basson, A. H., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 104 p. : ill. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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