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September 1, 2018
Heating and Mixing of Products
Automatic Heating and Mixing of Products – PLC Program (S7-1200
Problem Description:
Design an automatic system where two materials are collected into a single tank. Once both materials are present, the system should start mixing and heating simultaneously until the mixture reaches a preset temperature (setpoint). Upon reaching the target temperature, the system should automatically stop heating and mixing.
Develop a Ladder Logic Program for this application using a Siemens S7-1200 PLC.
Diagram:-
We can solve this problem using a simple and effective PLC logic sequence.
-
Two separate level switches are used to detect the presence of Material A and Material B in the tank.
-
One empty level switch is used to ensure the tank is ready for the next cycle.
-
Single-acting inlet valves (fully open/fully close) are used to control the flow of materials into the tank.
-
An agitator motor is used for mixing, mechanically connected to a shaft inside the tank.
-
A heater and temperature sensor are installed to heat the mixture.
-
Once the mixture reaches the setpoint temperature, the system stops the heater and mixer, and the outlet valve is opened to drain the product.
Process Sequence
-
On pressing the Cycle START button (
I0.0
) and ensuring the tank is empty (I0.4
ON), the system starts. -
Inlet Valve 1 (
Q0.0
) and Inlet Valve 2 (Q0.1
) open to fill Material A and B until both level switches (I0.3
andI0.2
) are triggered. -
Once both materials are filled, the inlet valves close, and the agitator motor (
Q0.2
) and heater (Q0.3
) turn ON. -
The materials are continuously mixed and heated.
-
When the temperature sensor (
I0.5
) detects the setpoint is reached, the heater and agitator turn OFF. -
The outlet valve (
Q0.4
) opens to drain the mixture. -
After draining is complete and the empty level switch (
I0.4
) is triggered again, the system is ready for the next cycle.
List of Inputs/Outputs
Inputs
Description | Address |
---|---|
Cycle START | I0.0 |
Cycle STOP | I0.1 |
Level Sensor - Material B | I0.2 |
Level Sensor - Material A | I0.3 |
Empty Level Switch | I0.4 |
Temperature Sensor (Setpoint reached) | I0.5 |
Description | Address |
---|---|
Inlet Valve 1 | Q0.0 |
Inlet Valve 2 | Q0.1 |
Agitator Motor | Q0.2 |
Heater | Q0.3 |
Outlet Valve | Q0.4 |
Purpose | Address |
---|---|
Cycle ON | M0.0 |
Ladder diagram for automatic heating and mixing of product.
Network 1:- Cycle ON
Program Description
In this application, we are using a Siemens S7-1200 PLC with TIA Portal software to program the automatic heating and mixing process.
Network-wise Logic Explanation
Network 1: Cycle ON/OFF Logic
This network implements a simple latching (seal-in) circuit to control the process cycle:
-
Normally Open (NO) contact of Cycle START button (
I0.0
) -
Normally Closed (NC) contact of Cycle STOP button (
I0.1
) -
Once latched, it activates Memory Bit M0.0 to keep the cycle ON.
Network 2: Inlet Valve 1 Control (Material A – Q0.0)
-
The Inlet Valve 1 (
Q0.0
) turns ON when the tank is empty (I0.4
= ON). -
It turns OFF when Material A level is reached (
I0.3
= ON). -
The START button (
I0.0
) is also connected in parallel to allow manual override if required.
Network 3: Inlet Valve 2 Control (Material B – Q0.1)
-
Inlet Valve 2 (
Q0.1
) turns ON once Material A level (I0.3
) is reached and the Cycle ON (M0.0
) is active. -
It allows the addition of Material B after Material A is filled.
Network 4: Heater and Agitator Control
-
Once both Material A (
I0.3
) and Material B (I0.2
) are at their levels, the Heater (Q0.3
) and Agitator Motor (Q0.2
) turn ON. -
This continues until the Temperature Setpoint Sensor (
I0.5
) indicates completion.
Network 5: Outlet Valve Control (Q0.4)
-
Once temperature setpoint (
I0.5
) is reached and Cycle ON (M0.0
) is active, the Outlet Valve (Q0.4
) opens. -
It remains open until the Empty Level Switch (
I0.4
) detects the tank is empty (used with NC contact to stop the valve).
Note:
This logic is for explanation and conceptual design only. Actual implementation may vary based on sensor types, valve actuation mechanisms, interlocks, and safety requirements.
Runtime Test Cases
Inputs | Outputs | Description |
---|---|---|
I0.0 = 1 | Q0.0 = 1 | Cycle started, Inlet Valve 1 ON |
I0.4 = 1 | Q0.1 = 1 | Tank empty, Inlet Valve 2 ON |
I0.3 = 1 & I0.2 = 0 | Q0.2 = 1 | Material A filled, Material B not yet full |
I0.2 = 1 & I0.5 = 0 | Q0.2 & Q0.3 = 1 | Both materials filled, Heating & Mixing ON |
I0.5 = 1 & I0.4 = 0 | Q0.4 = 1 | Setpoint reached, Outlet valve ON |