PLC Example – Sorting Station (Shift Register)

We will use the PLC to sort items on a conveyor operating shift register instructions. We will apply the five steps to a PLC example program development of a sorting station. The program will use shift registers to track colored parts down a conveyor and sort, depending on color, into one of three locations.
plc example shift register sorting station
Developing the PLC program example is a process that can be clearly defined. We have done some similar practical examples in our series on the five steps to PLC program development.
Five Steps to PLC Program Development
– Press
Process Mixer
Shift Register (Conveyor Reject)
Paint Spraying
Delay Starting of 7 Motors
– Pick and Place

Define the task: (Step 1 – Sorting Station Shift Register)

Watch the sequence of operation video below.
Watch on YouTube: PLC Programming Example – Sorting Station Testing

PLC Example - Sorting Station Testi...
PLC Example - Sorting Station Testing (Shift Register)

plc example shift register sorting stationplc example shift register sorting stationA normally open start and normally closed stop pushbuttons are used to start and stop the process in automatic mode. Upon beginning the entry, exit, and sorting station, belt conveyors will turn on. This will bring parts to the vision sensor.
plc example shift register sorting stationEach part will be tracked down the conveyor belt until it is in front of the appropriate exit ramp. (Three Ramps)
plc example shift register sorting stationThe sorting station diverter for the exit ramp will turn on, allowing the part to slide down the exit ramp.
plc example shift register sorting stationThe number of sorted parts is tracked by a counter that will display the number of features sorted for the exit ramp. Hitting the reset when the panel is in manual mode will allow the counters to reset to zero. (0)

To reset the tracking of the parts and clear the conveyors, hit the reset button when the machine is stopped.
If a part is stuck on the exit sensor to the ramp, this will block the sensor. A delay of 5 seconds takes place, and then the machine will stop. The flashing reset button indicates a jam has occurred at the exit.

Define the Inputs and Outputs: (Step 2 – Sorting Station Shift Register)

Inputs:
Item at Exit – Sensor – On/Off – Normally Closed
Start Pushbutton – Normally Open – On/Off
Reset Pushbutton – Normally Open – On/Off
Stop Pushbutton – Normally Closed – On/Off
Emergency Stop – Normally Closed – On/Off
Auto / Manual – Switch – On/Off
Outputs:
Entry Conveyor – Contactor – On/Off
Stop Blade – (Not used)
Exit Conveyor – Contactor – On/Off
Sorter 1 Turn – On/Off
Sorter 1 Belt – Contactor – On/Off
Sorter 2 Turn – On/Off
Sorter 2 Belt – Contactor – On/Off
Sorter 3 Turn – On/Off
Sorter 3 Belt – Contactor – On/Off
Start Light – On/Off
Reset Light – On/Off
Stop Light – On/Off
Vision Sensor (Colour Sensor) – Register – 16 bits
Counter 1 exit ramp – Register – 16 bits
Counter 2 exit ramp – Register – 16 bits
Counter 3 exit ramp – Register – 16 bits

Develop a logical sequence of operation: (Step 3 – Sorting Station Shift Register)

A flow chart or sequence table is used to understand the process that needs to be controlled thoroughly. It must also answer questions like the following:

 

What happens when electrical power and/or pneumatic air is lost? What happens when the input / output devices fail? Do we need redundancy?

Knowing all of these answers upfront is vital in developing the PLC program. This step is where you can save yourself a lot of work by understanding everything about the operation. It will help prevent you from continuously re-writing the PLC program logic.

The main part of the program will be to track the pieces down the conveyor belt. Using a shift register on each exit ramp is an excellent way to do this logic.
Here is a review of how shift registers work:
https://accautomation.ca/plc-programming-example-shift-register-conveyor-reject/

In our example, we do not have an input representing movement on the conveyor belt. This would be like a proximity sensor on a sprocket or an encoder on the conveyor shaft. We will accomplish this by using a system timed bit. (100ms interval) When the conveyor belt runs, we will trigger our shift register every 100ms. This will act as the clock input to our instruction. Each 100ms pulse of the bit will indicate a movement of the conveyor belt.

Develop the PLC program: (Step 4 – Sorting Station Shift Register)

Writing the code for the PLC example will be the next step in our program development. A quick review can be seen on our post: Buiding A PLC Program That You Can Be Proud Of
(This series takes you through using discrete inputs and outputs to control traffic lights and cylinders. As we progress, we introduce additional methods to solve logic. We look at sequencers in a new way and learn how to write programs to allow users to teach the new sequence.)

The first thing in our program is to control the start and stop functions. This is done through a latching circuit.
Start / Stop Control Circuit
plc example shift register sorting stationStart the conveyors in the system. This is done with the start light bit.
plc example shift register sorting stationThe color sensor on the input (MHR1) will determine the product’s color. The product will be sorted into one of three ramps based on color. The three sorting station ramps are tracked by their shift register.

The clock input to all three shift registers will be the start bit and a 0.10-second system clock bit (100 msec). Usually, this would be off of a conveyor pulse bit representing the distance traveled by the conveyor. Example: Gear turning triggers a proximity sensor.
Reset on the part tracking (shift registers) is done with the reset button when the system has stopped.
plc example shift register sorting station

Sorter 1 tracking

This is a base unit if the color sensor picks up a 0 or 4. It will then put this as input to the shift register. The output will trigger the sorter one-turn mechanism.
plc example shift register sorting station

Sorter 2 tracking

If the color sensor input is greater or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 3, this is a blue part unit. It will then put this as input to the shift register. The output will trigger the sorter’s two-turn mechanism.
plc example shift register sorting station

Sorter 3 tracking

If the color sensor input is greater or equal to 5, this is a green part unit. It will then put this as input to the shift register. The output will trigger the sorter three-turn mechanism.
The actual output from each shift register will have to be experimented with during the testing of the program. In our case, Sort1 bit V0:8, Sort2 bit V21:15, and Sort3 bit V33:7 was used.
Counters
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample CodeUpon the leading edge of the sorter turners, the output for each color sorting ramp will increment by one (+1).
Reset Light
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample CodeWill flash at 1-second intervals if the product is jammed on the output conveyor
The light will be on when reset is pressed.

BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample CodeReset the counters back to zero. Move 0 into the associated word. MHR2 to MHR4
Product Jam
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample Code
Product Jam at exit Timer. If the sensor is off for more than 5 seconds, this will allow the timer to finish and produce an error.
This is the end of our program.

Test the program: (Step 5 – Sorting Station Shift Register)

We will be using Factory IO to test the program. This communicates Modbus TCP Client (Master) to our BRX Series PLC (Modbus TCP Server (Slave)).
plc example shift register sorting stationWe will now add the inputs and outputs to our program for communication to our scene in Factory IO. The output coils from Factory IO will set the actual input addresses in our PLC example program. This will demonstrate how we can set the actual PLC inputs. See the following post on Understanding the PLC Program Scan.
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample Code
The actual outputs will set the inputs from Factory IO from our PLC example program.
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample Code
BRX Ladder Logic Programming Sample Code
The first step in testing the program is ensuring that the PLC’s inputs and outputs are wired correctly. We would usually turn each input on manually and see the corresponding input of the PLC turn-on. The same applies to the output devices. We will turn on each of the outputs to determine if they have been wired correctly.
If everything is working, we will start running our program automatically.
Fine adjustments may be required for the output bits of the sequencers. In our example, we use the following bits within each sequencer instruction. (Shift Registers)
plc example shift register sorting station
Test the program for things that can go wrong. Unplug a sensor or remove a box after the sensor has seen it. The PLC example program should be able to react.

Watch the video below to see an explanation and test of the program using Factory IO.

You can download the program and Factory IO scene here.

Watch on YouTube: PLC Programming Example – Sorting Station


If you have any questions or need further information, please get in touch with me.
Thank you,
Garry



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37 thoughts on “PLC Example – Sorting Station (Shift Register)”

    • Factory IO is a good program for teaching the basics of PLC programming. Other parts of the program will allow you to make the sensors fault and outputs faults. This way troubleshooting skills can be taught.
      Regards,
      Garry

      Reply
      • hie Garry. lm currently doing a project for parcel sorting system using bar code to scan the destination of the parcel.how do l go about it as in the ladder program.really appreciate all the help

        regards

        Reply
        • Hi Chizman,
          The first step is to establish communication from the bar-code scanner to the PLC. This is usually done by using a receive instruction in the PLC. Do you have a specific bar-code scanner and PLC models that you are using? This will determine the method of getting the information.
          Here is a link on how to do this using the Do-More:
          https://www.automationdirect.com/videos/video?videoToPlay=JqO0-DNUQSI
          Here is a link using the Click PLC:
          https://www.automationdirect.com/videos/video?videoToPlay=guYoOZqkulc
          The next part to be done is the tracking once the information is in the PLC from the bar-code scanner. I would use compare instructions to determine the destination and then create a shift register. The shift register could be bits like the video above or words.
          I hope this helps you out. Let me know how you make out.
          Regards,
          Garry

          Reply
        • Chizman,

          No offense but how did you get hired doing this project? It seems like you have minimal , or no PLC programming experience. PLC’s programming is something serious that if it isn’t done by a professional could result in damage to equipment, serious injury to people, or worst case death. If you are serious in the questions you’re asking, you should consider not doing this project.

          Vince

          Reply
      • hie garrys
        can you help me out with a PLC code for the sorting station but instead of 1 conveyor belt ,they will be 2 or 3 conveyor belts running on the same speed

        regards
        chizman

        Reply
        • Hi Chizman,
          You can add many different shift registers as you would like to represent multiple conveyors. If they are all running the same speed, then the clock pulse would be the same for all of them. Outputs would trigger on each line depending on the location that you want something to happen.
          I hope this helps you out.
          Regards,
          Garry

          Reply
  1. hie Garry
    l want to use the datalogic DS2100-1110 bar code scanner.

    the PLC l want to use the siemens S7-313C CPU

    can these work for my project which l want to explain below

    l want to design an automatic parcel sorting machine in which the destination of the parcel is extracted by the bar code and processed by the PLC.once the parcel have reached its sorting area it is deflected to the destination loading bay..the concept is almost the same as the one in your video only that l want to use bar code reader to determine where its being deflected.

    Reply
  2. Hi Chizman,

    This is a nice article. You mentioned the outputs from the shift register were determined by experiment. Is it determined by the location of the three sorters?

    Reply
    • Hi Chizman,
      The output would be based on the timing of when you want it to activate. If the clock pulse to activate the shift register is based on an encoder then you would determine the number of pulses required to trigger the output.
      Hope this helps you out.
      Regards,
      Garry

      Reply
  3. hie garry

    can you help me by writing a PLC program of an additional conveyor belt next to the existing one so that the sorting will be done by 2 stations running with the same speed,side by side
    using 1 PLC code

    Reply
    • Hi Chizman,
      In order to have 2 stations running side by side then use two shift registers with the same clock pulse. The input to the shift registers may or may not be the same depending on the application.
      I hope this helps you out.
      Regards,
      Garry

      Reply
  4. thanks for your use full examples ,is it possible to test your example without hardware plc in pc and run factory i/o scene .

    please tell how ,thanks in advance

    Reply
  5. hie garry

    im using simatic manager s7 pro for my project but the problem is the simulation on/off button is not working.can you give me some ideas on how to toggle it to the on mode

    regards

    Reply
  6. hie garry

    can you give me the steps l have to take to import the plc program you sent me into my simatic s7 and also the scene to my factory io

    Reply
  7. hello garry
    l downloaded the do more PLC software

    my question is what is the name of the PLC will l be simulating.is it the Siemens or Allan Bradley or the mitsubishi

    Reply
  8. Hello

    I get it now..so the do more series plc,click series plc and the directlogic series plc are other types of plc manufacturers just like the siemens and allan Bradley

    coming back to the sorter system of the code you sent and factory io scene,how do l link the factory io and do more software so that l can run the code.

    Reply
  9. hie Garry

    can l have your email address so that l can communicate with you more efficiently.l do have some image attachments l will be sharing with you in need of your help.

    thank you

    Reply
  10. hello garry

    can l have your email address.l would very much like to continue asking for your help including sending you image attachments of the problems l am facing

    thank you

    Reply
  11. Hello,

    Thank you for sharing this content. Do you have the program written in stucture text by any chances? This would help a lot.

    Reply
  12. Hello,

    Thank you for sharing this content. Do you have the program written in stucture text by any chances? This would help a lot.

    Thanks in advance.
    Kind regards
    Kevin

    Reply

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