Designing a PLC-Controlled Hydraulic Punching Press

Abstract

Automatic control has become an important part of modern manufacturing and industrial processes. Automatic control provide the necessary tools to obtain the optimal performance of the dynamic systems, improve the quality, lower the cost of production, and increase the production rate. In this paper, a hydraulic punching press system will be designed and controlled via a Programmable logic controller (PLC). The proposed system was simulated using lab-volt virtual laboratory (LVSIM®-HYD) software tool in order to avoid the mistakes that might occur in the actual design; subsequently the punching press system was designed using the Lab-Volt hydraulic training system. This system is consisting of: (1) the PLC is used to control time and regulate the sequences. (2) The Hydraulic system receives and implements the logical commands of PLC. (3) Electrical interfacing circuits which are very important to compromise in the stages of system. In addition, a structure analysis was carried out using an ANSYS software tool in order to apply this design for further applications like stamping process, through creating a pressure guide for the operator.