Hello all,
I am working on a batch computer for a concrete mixer, and the computer that was running the plant before has stopped functioning. It was an old PC running MS DOS. The code is encrypted and replacing it is not a cost effective option.
I therefore am looking into using a PLC to control this batch plant. I have a setup that was in progress by another employee who no longer works for us, it is a CLICK PLC from Automation Direct, and it is supposed to be paired with a EA9 T8CL touch screen HMI from the same company. I would like some advice on just some basics, I would greatly appreciate some input.
I essentially only have one input, and that is an analog scale, 0-20mA input. I have digital outputs for sand, gravel, cement powder, and a water meter for adding water to the mixture. I have one final output, an additive for reducing the required water in the concrete.
What I would like to create is a program that when it is told to start, looks at the scale, and if the scale is less than say 100 pounds, opens sand until it hits 1700 pounds (as an example), then turns it off. Then it turns on the gravel and adds that for another 1700 (again for example, all these are variable), turning the gravel off after. Next the cement, and so on. I don’t need someone to write the program for me, but can someone point me in the right direction on using an analog input to turn digital outputs on and off? Again, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to read this long post.