Position sensing in restricted environments in automated manufacturing

Abstract

This thesis describes a successful attempt to identify angular movement of leather components, when transported from one operation to another, by a conveyor system. The automated manufacturing process of skiving leather components was utilised for this research. Skiving is the localised thinning of the leather components to enable the joining of these without forming thick and unsightly joints. This process had been automated, but its performance could be enhanced by combining an additional sensing system. The research work was directed towards integrating a relatively small and low-cost form of sensing system onto a dynamic matrix skiving machine. Two key areas of the research were the identification of suitable sensor technology and the investigation of the environment within which they operate. The sensors form a vital and necessary part of any type of identification process and are used to acquire relevant data. The thesis describes a variety of sensor technologies and their suitability for use in restrictive environments. These environmental restrictions of the skiving process and the component material influence the choice of sensor. Following the study of sensor technologies, the second phase was aimed at implementing an automatic position sensing system. Therefore the main specification of the system was to detect the leather components, and their orientation prior to, and following transportation through the process. The final part of this work presents the results obtained from the introduction of the sensing arrays. It also identifies areas that may be investigated further to improve the system, concerning the particular restricted environment utilised in this research.