Modularized control algorithm for automated material handling systems

Markus Spindler, Thomas Aicher, Daniel Schütz, Birgit Vogel-Heuser, Willibald A. Günthner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Automated material handling systems are widely used in industry due to high throughputs and good process quality. In order to fully utilize their potential, these systems have to be custom-built, requiring individually created control software. The engineering process of the control software includes extensive manual programming, because a modular structure of the control algorithm with predefined modules is often not available. We describe one such modular control algorithm, based upon a two-layer architecture that separates the hardware control from the material flow control. Our modular control algorithm allows predefined modules for both the conveyor hardware and material flow elements to be created and then assembled in the needed configuration. As a result, the control software for a custom-built material handling system can be created by arranging predefined modules and setting their parameters, thus without manual programming. The proper functionality of our control algorithm is demonstrated by a simulation example using emulated hardware.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 IEEE 19th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITSC 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2644-2650
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781509018895
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Dec 2016
Event19th IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITSC 2016 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Duration: 1 Nov 20164 Nov 2016

Publication series

NameIEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Proceedings, ITSC

Conference

Conference19th IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITSC 2016
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CityRio de Janeiro
Period1/11/164/11/16

Keywords

  • Automation
  • Code generation
  • Intralogistics
  • Material handling systems
  • Model driven engineering (MDE)

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