The Fabrication of the Inter Conveyor Prototype Model Part 2

By yesterday we managed to test the automatic full operation of the prototype model. We used the small conveyor as feeder coveyor that supply the mooncake to the ICPM. As to power the pneumatic pusher we supplied 12VDC from a PC to a limit switch that would detect the presence of the mooncake infront of the pusher. Once detected the 12VDC will be seriesly supplied to the pneumatic valve that will trigger the pusher. This automatic action will cause the mooncake to slide down to the packaging moving conveyor. It works fine for both small and big mooncake.

Like any test, we found that our prototype also needs some improvement prior to do next test in the packaging room.
1- Stand Lock, to ensure the whole structure wont be moving during operation. This structure must be locked to the packaging moving conveyor. As for the time being we might use a pair of C-clamp temporarily.

2- Adjustable Feeder Slope, for better control of the sliding mooncake from feeder conveyor it is wiser if the feeder slider slope is adjustable. While it will ensure better delivery of the mooncake to the automatic pusher, it also will help the installation as the various packaging machines are infact have different height and width.

3- Mooncake presence detector, due to part availability, now we use the Fuji limit switch. As limit switch only work if there is enough force once contacted, it gurantees unreliability in the long run. Due to this fact, we might go to 2nd option of using infrared sensor for better reliability in future.

4- DC input supply, as for the time beinng we are using the supply from the PC. Perhaps for better control and neatness it is better to have its own supply of the 12VDC. This can be achieved either by using readymade AC2DC converter or use our own DC board.

5- Mooncake slider, now its only straight sliding only. Perhaps it should be something like the auto sachet slider where the surface is a bit curvy to ensure smoother supply to the moving packaging conveyor. This could be achieved by extending the existed conveyor length a bit more accordingly.