Pallet Layer Former

In this tutorial we’ll be creating a simulation of a pallet layer former, which will be controlled via a PLC. After completing this tutorial, you should be able to create your own machines and connect ProtoTwin to PLCs for virtual commissioning and controls testing. Start by downloading the CAD geometry for the model.

Solution

The video above explains how to create the initial setup model for the pallet layer former. The machine can be controlled in four different ways:

In this tutorial, we’ll only be covering the last two methods. If you want to control the pallet layer former by connecting ProtoTwin to a PLC on your local network, and skip through the initial setup phase, then the model created in the video above can be downloaded. Use this model as a starting point for the videos below.

PLC

The machine can be controlled by connecting ProtoTwin Connect to a PLC on your local network. ProtoTwin can read values from the PLC and write values to the PLC. The videos below show how you can control the machine using many different PLCs:

SoftPLC

The machine may also be controlled using the integrated SoftPLC. A completed model with the SoftPLC control logic can be downloaded. The SoftPLC Function Block Diagram (FBD) control logic for the pallet layer former machine is displayed below: