Miniature high-bay storage

Bramel Stefan
5AAT

Gahleitner David
5AAT

Stockinger Thomas

Nösslböck Gregor

MPS stations from Festo are already being used at the HTL-Neufelden. To teach students how to use PLC (programmable logic controller) systems, such stations consist of a mechanical structure with various actuators and sensors. They can be connected and controlled via a universal interface with the PLC of various manufacturers (Siemens, Beckhoff, Wago). With the diploma project “Miniatur Hochregallager”, the contingent of training stations is to be increased. The high-bay warehouse is to work with the standardized workpieces, which are to be handed over between the units via a conveyor belt. The servo motors and servo controllers from LTI, which are available at the school, are to be integrated into the project. One focus of the project is safety technology, as the servo motors can cause injury if used improperly.

The complexity of the high-bay warehouse has the potential to deter students working with PLC systems for the first time. That is why our idea was to develop a manual control system with which the complete system can be controlled without PLC. Since this mode of operation would affect the station itself in the event of incorrect operation, locking of the components that could collide with each other is essential. For example, the axis system should only be able to be moved if there is no longer a moving part in a storage position.

The high-bay warehouse has been designed to consist of two opposite storage complexes, each with 30 parking spaces for the workpieces. The storage takes place via a pivoting gripper unit that sits on a linear axis portal driven by servo motors. By means of a linear cylinder located in the gripper unit, the base body can be transported from or into its parking space. Safety is ensured by a safety relay, which switches the servo controllers voltage-free in the event of an opening of a safety door or when the emergency off is activated.