Microcontroller-based control system design using step counter method in drilling fixture

Abstract

Automation in the manufacturing process in the industry today is absolutely needed. Advances in technology has changed the characteristics of the manufacturing industry. The development of robotics, visualization technology and collaborative automation has increased the development of the manufacturing industry, enabling automation to be applied not only in the mass production process but also in low volume production. This is done to pursue the benefits of investing in industrial automation machines: productivity, accuracy, safety, cost savings, quality improvement, and repeatability. Industrial automation is the main key in following the development of technology into industry 4.0. This study aims to propose a new pneumatic system using the microcontroller by implementing the step counter methods. In this research, it is used to control a drilling fixture that has 3 (three) DACs. The Arduino microcontroller system used in this study to perform the step counter methods. Arduino type Mega 2560 control system has 10 inputs and 10 outputs for the 5/2 directional control valve (5/2 directional control valve – DCV. Through the application of this method, the preparation of microcontroller-based control circuits can be done in a structured and easier way, both the steps of preparation, control, and troubleshooting.