Design and Implementation of an Industry 4.0 Oriented Robotic Cell Through the Integration of the ABB IRB 14000 Robot and Optimized PID Control of a Conveyor Belt
Ricardo Balcazar, José Rubio, Mario Hernandez, Jaime Pacheco, Alejandro Zacarías, Eduardo Orozco, Enrique Garcia, Genaro Ochoa, Ricardo Rodriguez-Figueroa, Roberto Morales-MontañoThis work addresses the design and implementation of an automated system for the handling and transportation of parts, integrating speed sensors, an optimized PID controller, an HMI interface, and an industrial robotic system. The speed sensors, powered by 5 V DC, enable continuous measurement of the conveyor belt’s speed and direction of rotation, providing the feedback signal required for the control loop. The core element of the system is the implementation of a PID controller applied to a direct current motor responsible for driving the conveyor belt. This controller regulates the motor speed by analyzing the error between the reference speed and the measured speed, using proportional, integral, and derivative actions to improve system stability, reduce steady-state error, and minimize oscillations. The application of PID control makes it possible to achieve an appropriate dynamic response, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the transportation process. System monitoring and operation are carried out through a human–machine interface (HMI) developed in LOGO Web Editor, which communicates with the PLC (LOGO V8) to visualize and control the status of the conveyor belt, sensors, and control elements in real time. This interface facilitates interaction between the operator and the system, allowing both virtual and physical operation. In addition, RAPID programming is used to control the IRB 14000 industrial robot, enabling the reading of PLC signals and the execution of coordinated trajectories between both arms. The operating sequence includes picking up a part with the left arm, placing it on the conveyor belt, and, after detection by sensors and PLC control, subsequent manipulation by the right arm to a specific point. Finally, both arms return to their original position, ensuring synchronized and collision-free operation. Lastly, this work integrates scientific knowledge related to the modeling, analysis, and control of dynamic systems, particularly in the implementation of closed-loop PID control optimized using genetic algorithms. This control is applied directly to an embedded system through the use of an Arduino board as the processing and control platform. Likewise, technological knowledge associated with industrial automation, PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial robotics is incorporated. The convergence of these scientific and technological approaches results in a comprehensive and compelling project that demonstrates the practical application of theoretical concepts in a functional automated system representative of real industrial environments.