PLC in Flow Wrap MC
PLC in Flow Wrap MC
004
Journal of Sustainable
Development Innovations
www.jsi.aspur.rs
Keywords: ABSTRACT
PLC, Compressor, Heat Controller,
Conveyor, Capacitive Sensor, Sealing This paper focuses on the use of PLC and HMI in the automation
Assembly, Solenoid Switch. industry for a highly effective and versatile horizontal flow wrap
plastic film packaging solution. The machine's functioning and
efficiency are thoroughly evaluated through extensive testing and
* Corresponding author: validation procedures across multiple criteria. The main aim of this
paper is to do the automatic plastic film packaging of any product with
Jitendra Managre
packaging dimensions of 4cm X 5cm. For the process automation the
E-mail: [email protected]
FX5U 32MT PLC of Mitsubishi is used for controlling and automating
the system using ladder logic. The result shows that the developed
Received: 2 June 2024
system provides fully automatic wrap packaging of products and able
Revised: 15 July 2024
to do automatic packaging of 24 packets in one minute. Additionally,
Accepted: 22 August 2024
the results show the increased efficiency of product rate in less time for
automatic packaging system. Finally, it has been observed that the
system is very beneficial for the automatic packaging process using
PLC and the process can be monitored and visualized on a display
screen using HMI. Future advancements are required in the system to
meet industry4.0 needs. By incorporating some smart technologies,
deeper integration with Industry 4.0 principles could boost capabilities
in data analytics, connectivity, and remote monitoring for predictive
maintenance.
© 2024 Journal of Sustainable Development Innovations
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the use of programmable logic controller in Products are fed from the production line to
development of horizontal flow wrap packaging material through this equipment.
packaging machine [1]. The horizontal flow Feeding systems may use conveyors, belts, or
wrap machine is a type of packaging machinery infeed systems adapted to the wrapped
used extensively in the food, pharmaceutical, products. Flow wrap machines unwind and
and cosmetic industries for wrapping products feed packing film. Rolls or reels of film are
in a flexible material such as plastic film [2]. unwound to guarantee continuous material
These machines automate the process of supply during packing [5]. A rectangle shaped
wrapping individual or multiple products in a enclosure is formed by the film around the
continuous motion, creating a sealed package product as it passes through the packaging
around the contents. Horizontal flow wrap process thanks to the horizontal flow wrapper.
machines, also known as horizontal form fill Afterwards, the film is sealed longitudinally
seal (HFFS) machines or flow wrappers, are and transversely using heat sealing techniques,
designed to package a wide variety of products, guaranteeing the package's integrity [6]. In
including bakery items, confectionery, snacks, order to create nicely wrapped packages, the
frozen foods, hardware, and medical devices. extra film is trimmed or cut to size after sealing.
Such mechanism guarantees product safety, The application and packing requirements
sanitation, and display by providing effective, determine whether cutting mechanisms such as
quick packaging solutions. Horizontal flow reciprocating blades are used [7,8].
wrapping originated in the mid-1900s, as Contemporary horizontal flow wrap machines
are outfitted with sophisticated control
packing methods changed. Demand for
systems, frequently incorporating PLCs and
automated and effective packing led to the
HMIs [9,10]. By allowing users to adjust
development of flow wrapping technology,
variables including manufacturing rates,
however it pioneered flow wrapping with their
sealing temperatures, and package sizes, these
packing technology [3]. Typically to boost
systems guarantee accurate and reliable
productivity and speed automation is useful in
packing outcomes [11]. Flow wrap machines
the horizontal wrapping process. Horizontal
are designed with safety as their top priority.
flow wraps machines have evolved to meet
To shield operators from dangers and stop
industry demands for efficiency, versatility, mishaps while in use, technically in design it
and speed. Horizontal flow wrap machine includes guards, sensors, and emergency stop
frames are shown in figure 1, usually made of devices [12]. Completely automated packaging
stainless steel or other durable materials lines that include both upstream and
whereas such machines are stable, durable, and downstream machinery including product
corrosion-resistant, making them suited for feeders, fillers, and labelling systems can
many manufacturing situations [4]. incorporate horizontal flow wrappers [13,14].
Overall, the design of horizontal flow wrap
machines continues to evolve in response to
technological advancements, market demands,
and regulatory requirements, aiming to deliver
reliable, versatile, and high-performance
packaging solutions for a wide range of
industries [15]. Automation enhances
productivity, reduces labor costs, and improves
overall efficiency [16,17].
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
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packing materials, and machine parts, however setup chores. The software has an interface that is
based on the sensor feedback the PLC allows the easy to navigate and is compatible with various
machine for immediate supervision and control programming languages, including structured
of the packing process. Sensors guarantee text, ladder logic, and function bar diagrams. The
precise product placement, appropriate film GX Works3 software is utilized for the purpose of
tension, and prompt execution of diverse designing control logic, specifying input and
machine operations. Products are inserted into output devices, configuring communication
the film, the edges are sealed to produce parameters, and conducting program simulations
individual packages, and the film is folded or prior to deployment on the FX5U PLC.
unfolded as required. When these systems are
operating correctly, products are packaged
precisely and efficiently while retaining their
integrity and aesthetic appeal. The discharge
conveyor moves packaged goods to the next
section of the production line or to packaging for
distribution after receiving them from the
packaging machine.
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making packing alignment and sealing easier. Open the GX Works3, start a new project and
Sealing is controlled by solenoid switches in configure PLC FX5U. Designed a ladder logic for
pneumatics. Switches control cutting and sealing proposed problem in GX Works3 and keep the
pneumatic actuators. Programmable logic in the programmed in simulation mode. Using similar
PLC activates solenoid switches to precisely input/output addressing, HMI screen was designed
control pneumatic processes. After placing the in GT designer3 environment. After labelling the
product in the film tube, the sealing mechanism similar input/output and tags, interface the HMI
seals the film edges lengthwise. Circle and rod and activate the simulation mode for the designed
heaters manage sealing temperature to ensure HMI screen. The IP addresses of HMI and personal
film adherence and a tight seal around the computer or laptop should be same. Every memory
product. By folding or unfolding the film, film location and element on the PLC is given a tag name
folding and unfolding technology determines during coding, and these tag names are connected
packing designs. This stage may require folding to various HMI screen events and properties. It is
arms or guides to form the film. possible to add and edit every PLC tag. The all the
PLC tags and switches, which are used in the coding
PLC and HMI signal relay module for device are shown in table 3.
activation, controlling numerous components
based on preset logic. After packaging, the Table 3. PLC tags and switches.
process concludes, and the products are ready for Tags/switches Description
distribution. From product detection to sealing X0 START (whole system)
and discharge, the process provides efficient and X1 Start
reliable packing. X2 Stop
Y1 Infeed conveyor
4.2 Software Simulation Results Y2 Belt Sealer
Y3 Solenoid valve upper
The entire programming for the developed Y4 Solenoid valve down
system is conducted exclusively on the FX5U Y5 Output conveyor
32MT PLC platform using the GX Works3 T0 On delay belt sealer
simulation software. The selection of the PLC T1 On timer, solenoid valve up
FX5U series is motivated by its incorporation of T2 Dealy timer for solenoid valve
simulation capabilities, which streamline the down
monitoring process for the diverse parameters T3 Sealing delay timer
inherent in the proposed model. Ladder logic, a T4 Conveyor timer lower
programming language employed, M0 Internal relay
accommodates graphical representation of
programming functions, closely resembling the After completing the ladder programming, it is
symbols utilized in conventional hardwired required to establish communication between
control diagrams. For the completion of the the PLC code and HMI for similar input/output
implemented system, multiple ladder networks tags. The ladder logic programming has been
or rungs are used. There are also many implemented by using above similar I/O
instructions are used for the input and output addressing, tags and switches for specified task.
module. Input module has some push buttons, The PLC program is shown figure 5.
toggle switches and sensors. And in output
module some motors, actuators, conveyor
system and many more are present.
Implementing networks for all these, many
instructions are used like timer, counter,
holding, set, and reset etc. Mitsubishi's
HMI/GOT2000 controls and monitors the
system's ladder logic, which GT designer3
software visualizes. The HMI system may
monitor and control hardware model operation
with marked start and stop buttons. Connecting
the PLC and HMI requires these steps: Fig.5. PLC program in GX Works3 simulation software.
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Once the hardware connection between the PLC system performs accurately and precisely. All
and HMI has been successfully established, the system components are well-interfaced, efficient,
simulation phase can be conducted to simulate performing properly, sequenced well, and synced
the I/O addressing. This will allow for easy with code instructions. Table 4 compares
monitoring and control of the specified logic, as manpower-based and PLC-based automatic
illustrated in figure 6. packaging system product rates over time.
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improved. Further development could improve [7] R. Mofidul Shabbir and A. Podder, "Design and
the machine's ability to handle fragile or sensitive Implementation of Remote Controlling and
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Cartoner Packaging Machine for Cost Effective
Authors are thankful to Mitsubishi Electric India Solution," Int. Res. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 4, no. 1, 2017.
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