1.3.

2 Transfer System

Edward Solideo, Melanie Gonzalez

Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Mr. Olmedo
1/8/18

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Abstract:
The purpose of this project was to have a conveyor belt that would allow for the
stopping and starting of the belt when an item was taken off or put on without the use of
a timer. The conveyor belt needs to work all autonomously, excluding the pressing of
the start button. The conveyor belt would need to be programmed to stop when an item
is present in front of a sensor, continue to stay put when it is removed to assemble a
part, and move when an object is put in front of that same sensor until it comes across
another one (in which case it would repeat the process). This project took about 8 days,
not counting days we were not in the classroom (due to winter break).

Concepts:
● A1.3.1 Cost Overview
This would be important because it would show us how prices for items can be
impacted with such things as Fixed and Variable Costs, including autonomous work and
human labor.
● P1.2.9 AGV
The AGV Project was important to this, as it introduced us to a lot of similar concepts,
and was our first look at the way to do these reports. Although the projects are not
identical, or the same, a lot of the same things, such as the use of ultrasonic sensors
and buttons for start/e-stops were used in both projects.
● A1.2.7 Open and Closed Loop Systems
Open Loops used in this project were very important, as in an Open Loop System ​the
output has no effect on the input or action. Closed Loop Systems, on the other hand,
rely on feedback, such as the use of the Ultrasonic Sensor stopping the actions of the
conveyor belt once it receives the feedback that there is something in front of it,
something is taken away and how many times something is put in front of it.
● A1.2.6 Variables and Functions
Variables and Functions were important to the programming of the conveyor belt as it
cleaned up the code by only calling the function, or calling back a variable to remember
how many times a code was executed.
● A1.2.5 While and If-Else Structures
This concept was used heavily in the code for the robot; when a condition is true, the
While Loop repeats, while when a condition is not true, it executes the rest of the
program or the Else Statements.
● A1.2.4 Basic Inputs Programming​ and ​A1.2.3 Basic Outputs Programming
Inputs and Outputs are needed to be able to perform the most basic of actions when
doing programs, this includes giving the robot commands to move certain parts, such as
the wheels, in what directions, or even making such things as the E-Stop.

Materials List:

CONVEYOR BELT

● ⅜ Screws (28)
● Motor Screws (4)

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 ● KEPS Nuts (16)
● Ultrasonic Sensors (2)
● Motors (2)
● Angled Gussets (3)
● Threaded Standoff 2’ (4)
● Threaded Standoff 3’ (2)
● Spacers (2)
● Drive Shafts 3’ (2)
● Shaft Collars (6)
● Bump Switches (3)
● Motor Controllers (2)
● Base Plate (1)
● C-Channel 1x5x25 (1)
● Plate 5x25 (1)
● Tank Tread Driver Wheels (2)
● Tank Treads
● VEX Cortex (1)

ASSEMBLY PART

● KEPS Nuts (2)

● 60 Tooth Gears (2)
● 1’ Screws (2)
● Drive Shaft 2’ (1)
● Intake Rollers (1)
● Threaded Standoff 1’ (2)
● Collar (1)

Procedure:

The Conveyor Belt

Step 1: Start with a base plate and the general place where you will put the cortex.

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Step 2: Start to plan out and put in the wires into the cortex, as well as the battery. If
some wires for things such as motors are too short to get to the cortex, put on a motor

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controller.

Step 3: Put an angle gusset at the beginning of the conveyor belt, so the part you put on
the conveyor belt doesn’t end up falling the wrong way.

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Step 4: Place the gear train idler wheels onto the platform with the tank treads attached.

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Add a shaft collar on the outside for stability and it will not fall off with the motor moving.

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Step 5: Add a shaft going from the motors to the idler wheels. Add a spacer and shaft
collar so the idler wheel stays in place and the motor stays stable.

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Step 6: Make the motor secure by using golden screws to keep it in place with added
support from the shaft collar.

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Step 7: Attach a bump switch onto the transfer system. This bump switch would be
programmed to be the E-stop.

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Step 8: Place the sonars onto a place that would allow them to be far enough apart, for
a two station conveyor belt.

Step 9: Put on the tank treads onto the driver wheels, making sure it’s not too tight or
too loose, as well as the start button, for when you put the first item on the conveyor belt
(top right).

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Step 10: Add a Button Count at the end of the conveyor belt for the part to fall on. This
will notify when a part is finished being constructed.

Complete!

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The Program
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Step 1: Outside of task main initialize the part count variable and establish the estop
task

Step 2: Within task main program what would happen if the start button was activated
then start the motors. The wait statement will stop the code from confusing itself by
separating stopping motors and starting motors if need be.

Step 3: Add a while statement where the product must be made 5 times using the count
that was already initialized. Create the first station where if the sonar detects an object
then the motors stop. The wait time allows for the object to be picked up and once the
sonar detects an object again it will start the motors and bring it to the next station.

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Step 4: Create the second station where if the sonar detects an object then the motors
stop. The wait time allows for the object to be picked up and once the sonar detects an
object again it will start the motors and bring it to the bin..

Step 5: When the product hits the countBtn then the motors stop and the the count goes
up by 1. After this all that awaits is the start button and it will continue to loop until 5
parts are made.

Concept Sketches: SEE ATTACHED

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Technical Drawings: SEE ATTACHED—Transfer System Design Sheet

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Conclusion:
After this project was completed, our overall cost was $467.03.​ ​If we could have
reduced cost, we would have removed the base plate we had on to reduce the cost by
$15. As well as possibly design a location for the cortex to reach the motors and the
sensors without the requirement of motor controllers, Finally, lower the use of motors, to
just one. It took us a total time of 3 minutes and 55 seconds to complete 5 total parts.
Things that we did well in this project were having a fast time and​ ​having the code
working in a good time.

References:
Olmedo, Fred. “​A1.3.1 Cost Overview.” ​Google Classroom, PLTW, Inc.​ D​ ec 6, 2018. Dec 
7, 2018.  
<​https://classroom.google.com/c/MTY0NTI1NjY2Mjla/a/MjUyNjI0MDA0NjJa/details​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “1.2.5 While and If-Else Structures powerpoint.” ​Google Classroom, 
PLTW,Inc.​ 15 Oct, 2018. 30 Oct, 2018. 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=1U5DU5h7aXqTcL75QtDttF1VoGq4_Aj-W&authuser
=1​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “1.2.5 While and If-Else Structures word doc” ​Google Classroom, 
PLTW,Inc​. 15 Oct, 2018. 30 Oct, 2018. 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mNQDC9Qqr13xSbrbVrqTb38YKgeDLg9A&authus
er=1​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “1.2.6 Variables and Functions word doc”​ Google Classroom, PLTW,Inc. 
26 Oct, 2018. 5 Nov, 2018. 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=11t4dR5mC3Cnm7J5myo6eihK1Ovj649v4&authuse
r=1​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “1.2.6 Variables and Functions powerpoint”​ Google Classroom, PLTW,Inc. 
26 Oct, 2018. 5 Nov, 2018. 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uqJiu6S96JX9tV0fF1BcFOohDPtPESHZ&authuser
=1​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “A 1.2.8 Emergency Stop powerpoint”​ Google Classroom, PLTW,Inc.​ 7 
Nov, 2018 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HHV_RpzgJ6XHEpTxcXTii3k9ZS3sWnli&authuser
=1​> 
 
Olmedo, Fred. “A 1.2.8 Emergency Stop word doc”​ Google Classroom, PLTW,Inc.​ 7 Nov, 
2018 
<​https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jZBec0CUOlJN20MMrjwGye3o8Qu3gLe6&authuse
r=1​> 

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